Semicrystalline polyimide matrices for composites: Crystallization and properties

New semicrystalline polyimide/oligoimide blends, designated for matrices in carbon fiber-reinforced composites, were developed. A specific advantage of the proposed polyimides is their ability to crystallize from the melt, therein retaining their crystallinity throughout the manufacturing process. The generation of crystallinity after melting, referred to as recrystallization, was investigated here as affected by blending the polyimides with oligoimides of a similar chemical structure. Based on thermal analysis and enthalpy measurements, comparative X-ray diffraction analyses, and polarized light microscopy of hot-stage-controlled crystallization, the recrystallization ability was determined for five different oligoimides. In some cases, the addition of oligoimides, both amorphous and crystalline, resulted in complete recrystallization. The main contribution of the oligoimides is suggested to be through plasticization, allowing segmental chain mobility during crystallization, and not via nucleation. A similar effect was obtained by lowering the molecular weight of the polyimide; this, however, generates mechanical property reduction, rendering the polyimide irrelevant to composite materials. Finally, it was shown that crystallization was also enhanced by carbon fibers, serving as a nucleating agent and generating transcrystallization. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc.