Mechanical Properties of a Composition Based on Polyester Resin with Copper(I) Oxide Particles

In the work, changes in the mechanical characteristics of a polymer composition based on polyester resin filled with encapsulated polylactide and nonencapsulated copper(I) oxide particles have been studied, as well as these particles dissolved by the resin components. It has been shown that encapsulated filler particles interact better with the matrix polymer than do nonencapsulated particles. This causes an increase in the ultimate strength and hardness of polymer composite material (PCMs), as well as a decrease in the magnitude of the ultimate deformation. A decrease in the strength characteristics of PCMs was noted in the case of partial dissolution of copper(I) oxide particles by components of the polyester resin. The reason for the change in strength characteristics is a decrease in the density of the polymer binder network due to the loss of styrene, as well as the formation of the complexes of copper salts.