Phenolic resins with phenyl maleimide functions: Thermal characteristics and laminate composite properties

Phenolic resins bearing varying concentrations of phenyl maleimide function s were synthesized by copolymerizing phenol with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)maleimi de (HPM) and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst. The resins u nderwent a two-stage curing, through condensation of methylol groups and ad dition polymerization of maleimide groups. The cure characterization of the resin by dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed the two-stage cure and the dominance of maleimide polymerization over methylol condensation in the net work buildup process. The kinetics of both cure reactions, studied by the R ogers method, substantiated the earlier proposed cure mechanism for each st age. Although the initial decomposition temperature of the cured resin was not significantly improved, enhancing the crosslink density through HPM imp roved thermal stability of the material in a higher temperature regime. The anaerobic char yield also increased proportional to the maleimide content. Isothermal pyrolysis and analysis of the char confirmed that pyrolysis occ urs by loss of hydrocarbon and nitrogenous products. The resins serve as ef fective matrices in silica- and glass fabric-reinforced composites whose me chanical properties are optimum for moderately crosslinked resins, in which failure occurs through a combination of fiber debonding and resin fracture . (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1664-1674, 2001.