157
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume One,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43403-8_8
Chapter 8
Reactive and Functional Polyesters
and Polyurethanes
Morteza Akbari and Reza Najjar
Abstract The reactive polyesters are organic compounds based primarily on carboxyl, hydroxyl and double bond functional groups, which are produced by polycondensation or ring opening polymerization (ROP). Depending on the functional
group, they can react with different types of curing agents such as
2- hydroxyalkylamides, amines, atmospheric oxygen, diisocyanates, epoxies,
melamine-formaldehyde (MF) and polyols to produce the final product on an industrial scale. The polymers resulting from the polyesters and curing agents have many
applications such as adhesives, coatings, composites, elastomers, foams and sealants. One of the main applications of reactive polyesters is the preparation of
diisocyanate- cured PUs. There are several types of reactive PUs which are produced
by reacting a polyol with an isocyanate compound. The reactive site is often isocyanate end-capped groups. However, other functional groups such as amine, carboxyl
and hydroxyl can be used as the reactive site. This chapter aims to analyze reactive polyester and polyurethane.
Keywords Curing agent · Diisocyanate · Functionalization · Unsaturated polymer
8.1 Polyesters
The discovery of polyesters was achieved when Carothers successfully synthesized
this type of polymers by the reaction of glycols and dicarboxylic acids. Due to a
high viscosity problem, Carothers was unable to obtain high molecular weight
(Mw) polyester (Smith and Hounshell 1985). Other researchers carried out their
work using long chain glycols or polyols to produce high Mw polyesters. The first
commercial polyester was introduced in 1941 under the trade name of Dacron.
Since then, much progress has been made in the industrial production of polyesters.
M. Akbari · R. Najjar (*)
Polymer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
e-mail: najjar@tabrizu.ac.ir
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume One,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43403-8_8
Chapter 8
Reactive and Functional Polyesters
and Polyurethanes
Morteza Akbari and Reza Najjar
Abstract The reactive polyesters are organic compounds based primarily on carboxyl, hydroxyl and double bond functional groups, which are produced by polycondensation or ring opening polymerization (ROP). Depending on the functional
group, they can react with different types of curing agents such as
2- hydroxyalkylamides, amines, atmospheric oxygen, diisocyanates, epoxies,
melamine-formaldehyde (MF) and polyols to produce the final product on an industrial scale. The polymers resulting from the polyesters and curing agents have many
applications such as adhesives, coatings, composites, elastomers, foams and sealants. One of the main applications of reactive polyesters is the preparation of
diisocyanate- cured PUs. There are several types of reactive PUs which are produced
by reacting a polyol with an isocyanate compound. The reactive site is often isocyanate end-capped groups. However, other functional groups such as amine, carboxyl
and hydroxyl can be used as the reactive site. This chapter aims to analyze reactive polyester and polyurethane.
Keywords Curing agent · Diisocyanate · Functionalization · Unsaturated polymer
8.1 Polyesters
The discovery of polyesters was achieved when Carothers successfully synthesized
this type of polymers by the reaction of glycols and dicarboxylic acids. Due to a
high viscosity problem, Carothers was unable to obtain high molecular weight
(Mw) polyester (Smith and Hounshell 1985). Other researchers carried out their
work using long chain glycols or polyols to produce high Mw polyesters. The first
commercial polyester was introduced in 1941 under the trade name of Dacron.
Since then, much progress has been made in the industrial production of polyesters.
M. Akbari · R. Najjar (*)
Polymer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
e-mail: najjar@tabrizu.ac.ir