The effect of bismaleimide on thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of allyl-functional bisphthalonitrile/bismaleimide system

Allyl-functional phthalonitrile (DBPA-Ph) and bismaleimide (BMI) have been considered as advanced composite-matrix resins applied in various fields. In this work, self-promoted polymerization behavior and processability of DBPA-Ph/BMI system were investigated in detail. To further reveal the effect of BMI on the properties of DBPA-Ph/BMI system, the blends and the prepolymers of DBPA-Ph/BMI were prepared in different proportions. Their curing and rheological behaviors were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic rheological analysis. The results further confirmed the possible reaction mechanisms and demonstrated that DBPA-Ph/BMI prepolymers exhibited good processability, which included wide processing window (approximately 75 degrees C), low melting viscosity (< 0.2 Pas), and better reactivity. The copolymers exhibited satisfactory thermal stabilities (T-5% > 421 degrees C, char yield at 600 degrees C > 70%). Moreover, the DBPA-Ph/BMI/glass fiber composite laminates were prepared and the effect of the curing temperature and BMI content on mechanical properties and dielectric properties were also investigated. The results show that the composite laminates exhibit favorable mechanical properties and weak frequency dependence of dielectric properties over a wide frequency range. Above all, the research on DBPA-Ph/BMI system could expand its applications in industry, especially in the areas, which require high temperature resistance and excellent mechanical and dielectric properties.