SYNOPSISThis article describes a number of chemical routes for the recycling of sheet-molding compounds (SMC) consisting of glass fibers, filler (calcium carbonate), and an unsaturated polyester-styrene thermoset resin. Treatment of milled SMC with ethanol/potassium hydroxide at 85°C for 48 h ultimately affords a soluble polymeric fraction, consisting of styrene-fumaric acid copolymers. The excess of potassium hydroxide as well as the filler are removed via a neutralization step, which results in a large stream of waste chemicals. Treatment of SMC chips with ethanolamine a t 180°C for 48 h gives a reaction mass that can be split into three fractions, viz., the glass fibers, the filler, and a methanol-soluble polymeric residue. The excess of ethanolamine is recovered by distillation at 220°C and reduced pressure. The polymeric fraction consists of terpolymers of styrene, N,N'-di(2-hydroxyethy1)fumaramide and N-2-hydroxyethylmaleimide monomer units, the latter two bearing two and one hydroxyl groups, respectively. The terpolymer shows little solubility in unsaturated polyester, epoxy, or isocyanate resins. The glass fibers and the filler coated with the polymeric fraction can be used as constituents of bulk-molding compounds (BMC).

SYNOPSISReaction of methylenedianiline and maleic anhydride in acetone, followed by cyclodehydration in the presence of acetic anhydride and 1,4-diazabicyclo [ 2.2.2 ]octane as a catalyst, affords a mixture of compounds, Desbimid, with maleimide, isomaleimide, and acetamide groups. Dissolution of this mixture in styrene and 8-hydroxyethyl methacrylate results in clear liquid resins. The viscosity of the formulated resins ranges from 100-1700 mPas at 25°C depending on the concentration of Desbimid. These systems can be processed and cured at ambient temperatures until demoulding and postcured at temperatures up to 200 or 250°C. The flexural modulus, flexural strength, and elongation at break of a number of cured formulations are found between 3500-3800 N/mm2, 90-115 N/mm2, and 2.7-3.5%, respectively.