Examining the thermal degradation behaviour of a series of cyanate ester homopolymers

Abstract

A series of thermally stable dicyanate monomers was prepared containing different thermally stable structural units, namely 2,2′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl)propane, bis‐4‐cyanato‐biphenyl, bis‐4‐cyanato naphthalene, 3,3′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl)sulfide and 3,3′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl)sulfone, was prepared and the identity of the products was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectral methods. The corresponding cyanate homopolymers were prepared and their properties were evaluated and compared. The composites were analysed for their thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics. The series of homopolymers exhibit excellent thermal characteristics, e.g. relatively high glass transition temperatures of at least 215 °C, which were inversely proportional to the molecular weight between the crosslinks, high thermal decomposition temperature and high activation energies for the decomposition of cured resins. Determination of their limiting oxygen indices indicates that all the homopolymers are characterized as ‘self‐extinguishing’ materials. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Cyanate Ester Polymerization: Overview of Mechanistic and Kinetic Aspects

“…Cyanate esters are an important class of thermosetting monomers, whose crosslinking yields high‐performance polymers with excellent mechanical and dielectric properties, high thermal stability, low water uptake and cure shrinkage, resistance to ionizing radiation and thermal cycling. [ 1–7 ] This combination of properties makes them highly attractive for manufacturing of hot‐section components, ablative armor, radomes for aerospace and military industry, high‐speed circuits for microelectronics industry, and structural parts for high‐speed vehicles. [ 8–11 ] Detailed surveys of the cyanate resins properties and applications are given in several review articles.…”

Fluorine free TiO2/cyanate ester coated cotton fabric with low surface free energy and rough surface for durable oil–water separation

“…Cyanate ester on thermal curing forms polycyanurate matrix through the formation of nitrogen rich triazine rings and thus offers higher temperature capability (Hubbard et al 2013). The presence of symmetric C-H linkages and the absence of hydrogen bonds favours low polarity, which in turn results low moisture absorption (Tsiamis et al 2019;Gouthaman et al 2019;Cherukattu Gopinathapanicker et al 2020). In addition, cyanate esters possess high glass transition temperature (Tg), good fracture toughness, excellent substrate adhesion, low shrinkage and low dielectric constant as well as loss (Throckmorton et al 2018;Gong et al 2019;Feng et al 2019;Zhang et al 2020c).…”