1 Development of New Green SMC Resins and Nanocomposites from Plant Oils

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is widely used in automotive parts, appliances, furniture, and construction. These materials heavily depend on the petroleum supply, which is depleting fast. The use of plant oils as an alternative source for SMC resins presents economic and environmental advantages over petroleum. Two synthetic methods have been used to develop new resins from triglycerides. The double bonds presented on the fatty acid chains were first converted to epoxy or hydroxyl functionality; the hydroxyl groups were maleinized, while the epoxies were acrylated and then further maleinized. When these functionalized oils were combined with 33.3 wt % styrene, the polymers showed mechanical properties comparable to those of commercial unsaturated polyesters. In addition, these new resins exhibit adequate thermo-reversible thickening behavior with MgO. These triglyceride-based resins have good compatibility with natural fibers, such as hemp and flax to form low-cost green composites. New bio-based nanocomposites were also developed using these new resins and organo-treated clays, and the nanocomposites showed considerable increase in modulus and toughness. These new green materials show the promise to be used in the automotive industry