Ashland has developed a series of unique thermoset polymers called MODAR Modified Acrylic Resins. These resins were initially developed for closed molding applications such as resin transfer molding and pultrusion. However, the end use properties of MODAR resins have encouraged their use also in other molding processes, such as hand layup, vacuum infusion (scrimp) and filament winding.
This unique chemistry offers a very diversified range of applications in many markets like automotive, mass transit, railways, building, rods for optical cable, structural parts and profiles, and optimal fire retardant / low smoke composite parts.
MODAR resins can be used in carbon fibers reinforced composites in place of epoxies. MODAR resins offer faster cure times and competitive physical properties. MODAR resins are based on methacrylate chemistry and they are processed like unsaturated polyester resins by free-radical cross-linking.
MODAR Resins Inherently Offer:
- low viscosity
- rapid cure
- fast cycle times
- superior physical properties
- resistance to cracking
- long shelf-life and stability (valuable for hot climate countries)
MODAR resins with aluminium trihydrate are an outstanding solution for fire retardant applications (FR/LS).
These blends meet the most stringent fire requirements for fire retardancy, ignitability, rate of heat release, smoke generation, and toxicity (non-halogenated resins). This solution allows to produce FR/LS composite parts with a standard process and a good balance of properties like toughness, surface quality and high productivity.