Polyimide composite materials containing modified nanostructured boron carbide

Abstract

This article describes the study of producing composites based on polyimide matrices containing nanostructured boron carbide as reinforcement particles. To improve the adhesion between ceramic particles and matrix material the boron carbide was pre-modified. The composites were produced using high temperature in situ polymerization method, with aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines used as monomers. In particular, 4,4′-isopropylidene diphthalic anhydride, 4,4′-(p-phenylenedioxi)bis[phthalic anhydride], 4,4′-oxydianiline, 4-[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenoxy]aniline were used as monomers, while the filler content was 20 to 60 wt. %. Mechanical properties, imidization degree and thermal resistance of the composites produced were studied as well.