Blends of Cyanate Ester and Phthalonitrile-Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Copolymers: Cure Behavior and Properties

Blends of cyanate ester and phthalonitrile-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane copolymers were prepared, and their cure behavior and properties were compared via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, Fourier-transform far-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and rheometric studies. The copolymer blends showed high chemical reactivity, low viscosity, and good thermal stability (TG temperatures were above 400 degrees C). The glass-transition temperature of the blends increased by at least 140 degrees C compared to cyanate ester resin. The blends are suitable for preparing carbon-fiber-reinforced composite materials via a winding process and a prepreg lay-up process with a molding technique. The FTIR data showed that the polymerization products contained triazine-ring structures that were responsible for the superior thermal properties.