Curing behaviors and thermomechanical properties of novolac cyanate–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane copolymers

Abstract Novolac cyanate ester–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS, MA0735) copolymers were prepared by adding different amounts of MA0735 into novolac cyanate ester resin. The curing behaviors and properties of these polymers were analyzed and compared by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier-transform far infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and simple beam impact testing machine. The results showed that the comprehensive properties of the polymer with 0.5% MA0735 were optimal. The addition of a small amount of MA0735 can yield both heat resistance and impact toughness.