THERMOPLASTIC TOUGHENED STYRENIC THERMOSETS - SYNTHESIS, PROPERTIES AND CONSEQUENCES OF RADICAL-BASED CURE CHEMISTRY

A novel thermosetting resin based on vinylic end groups was prepared a nd its network formation investigated. 2,2-Bis(4-vinylbenzyloxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane was prepared by the condensation of vinylbenzyl chlo ride with Bisphenol-AF in the presence of K2CO3. This distyrenic monom er was cured thermally to produce a highly crosslinked network with <0 .5% sol fraction. The networks prepared by this reactive monomer were brittle. However, their fracture toughness could be modified with the incorporation of vinylbenzyl end-capped perfluoroalkylene aryl ether o ligomers. The thermoplastic component phase separated into discrete co mposite particles in the continuous network phase. The thermoplastic m odified network showed improved fracture toughness without sacrificing the modulus or good dielectric characteristics.