SEMIINTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS OF MALEIMIDE END-CAPPED OLIGOESTERS

The crosslinking and thermal properties of networks obtained from a series of maleimide-terminated terephthalates have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis. The semi-interpenetrating polymer networks obtained from these bismaleimides and linear terephthalate oligomers of the same chemical structure, have also been studied and compared with those obtained from bis(4-maleimidophenyl) methane and the same linear oligomers. All blends showed compatibility before crosslinking. However, the behaviour of the crosslinked materials was affected by the fraction of crosslinked component, the curing schedule, the bismaleimide structure and the degree of cure.