■ Bio-based thermosetting resins. This project is now in the testing phase and yields promising results. Curing of our bio-based resins can already be performed at room temperature by free-radical polymerization. Besides thermal initiators, UV-initiators can be applied as well. Processing of the resins can be achieved by different techniques such as hand lay-up and RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding). Possible application areas are adhesives, composite materials and coatings. ■ Processing of thermosetting resins by conventional processing methods.
The main objective was to develop a fully bio-based thermosetting resin that can be used for high performance applications. One of the requirements was to obtain resins with sufficiently low viscosity without using conventional reactive diluents such as styrene. The resins should be easily processable. Furthermore, curing should preferable be achieved at ambient temperatures.
This innovative method makes a continuous production system possible of thermosets. VISENG has successfully proved this method on laboratory scale.
Research & Development Projects by VISENG