Bismaleimide modified bis propargyl ether bisphenol A resin: Synthesis, cure, and thermal properties

Bis propargyl ether bisphenol A (PBPA) was synthesized and blended with 4,4′-bismaleimide diphenyl methane (BDM) at different molar ratios. The cure behavior of the blend resins was measured by DSC and FTIR spectra. The results indicated that the onset cure temperatures of the blend resins were about 20–30°C lower than that of pure PBPA, and the cure exothermic enthalpy of the resins also significantly reduced from 1320 (PBPA) to 493 J/g (PBPA–BDM (1.0:2.0)). The thermal stabilities and dynamic mechanical properties of the cured resins were characterized by TGA and DMA, respectively. The thermal stability of the resins improved markedly with the increase in BDM content, and the glass transition temperature increased from 306°C for PBPA–BDM (1.0:0.5) to 358°C for PBPA–BDM (1.0:2.0). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3610–3615, 2006