Asymmetric bismaleimide-based high-performance resins with improved processability and high Tg over 400 °C

Abstract

Asymmetric 2-(4′-maleimido)phenyl-2-(4′-maleimidophenoxyl)phenylbutane (EBA-BMI) was successfully mixed with N, N′-(4,4′-diphenylmethane)bismaleimide (DDM-BMI) to prepare the matrix resins for high-temperature fiber-reinforced polymeric composites (glass transition temperature ( Tg) > 400°C). Experimental results imply that DDM-BMI/EBA-BMI (DE-BMIs) show excellent melting performance with wide processing temperature window and low molten viscosity, suggesting excellent compatibility between DDM-BMI and EBA-BMI. For example, the viscosity of DE-BMI41 (DDM-BMI/EBA-BMI, 4/1) is about 474–51 mPa·s in the temperature range of 148–180 °C. In addition, cured DE-BMIs represent remarkable thermal properties with Tg over 400°C, under which the storage modulus could still reach as high as 3.2 GPa. Meanwhile, the coefficient of thermal expansion of these cured resins is about 36–40 ppm °C−1 at 50–250°C, and the 5% weight loss temperature is about 470°C.