Structure/Property Relationships of Cyanate Ester Resins from Renewable Sources

Abstract : This work presents the results of an investigation into the structure/property relationships of a series of cyanate ester resins prepared from a renewable precursor derived from lignin. These materials possess favorable thermal and water uptake properties with dry glass transition temperatures above 200 degrees C and wet glass transition temperatures above 175 degrees C with water uptake below 4%. Char yields of the resins were around 30% under nitrogen and around 10% in air. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that resins with more sterically restrictive bridge groups between the reactive moieties cure more slowly, yet also more completely. The favorable physical properties of these resins suggest that they are appropriate for demanding environments with a variety of potential uses in military and commercial applications.