Toughening of some high-temperature poly(arylene ether)s and a hydroxypoly(benzoxazole) by sol-gel generated rubbery particles

Some high-temperature polymers, specifically two poly(arylene ether)s and a hydroxy(benzoxazole) copolymer (HPBO), were toughened using dispersed rubb ery phases generated by the sol-gel process. These rubbery phases were intr oduced using combinations of sol-gel precursors with varying numbers of alk yl groups. Scanning electron micrographs showed uniformly dispersed particl es in these composite materials. In poly(arylene ether)s, a significant: in crease in toughness and ultimate elongation were achieved for samples prepa red from relatively large amounts of sol-gel precursor with higher numbers of alkyl groups. In HPBO, samples having low levels of the rubbery phase, b oth toughness and ultimate elongation were increased with increasing amount of the rubbery phase. Improvements in these properties of the HPBO polymer are rather large compared to the poly(arylene ether)s. The results also de monstrated improved thermal properties and decreased water absorption. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.