Thermoplastic-Toughened High-Temperature Cyanate Esters and Their Application in Advanced Composites

Abstract

Cyanate esters (CEs) are recognized as matrix materials in composites for high-temperature structural applications, owing to their excellent thermal and dimensional stability, resistance to micro-cracks, low moisture absorption, and low dielectric loss. Though the brittle nature of CEs curtails their effective utilization, thermoplastic toughening has paved the way to circumvent their innate brittle attribute by virtue of the resulting two-phase morphology. This Review enumerates detailed deliberation on thermoplastic toughening of CEs and their semi-interpenetrating networks. Further, the effects of various decisive variables like thermoplastic concentration, molecular weight, and curing conditions are also reviewed and disserted in detail. In addition, the mechanical properties of numerous developed CE blends and their toughening mechanism are deliberated to elucidate their substantial engineering applications. This Review renders a detailed contemplation on thermoplastic toughening of CEs, composite fabrication methodology, and their structural integrity for high-temperature applications.

Toughening of Epoxy Systems with Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN): A Review

“…IPNs can be formed by dissolving the monomer of the second polymer in the network of the first polymer, followed by cross linking the second polymer to form a network (i.e., sequential IPN) or by mixing two monomers and then cross-linking them to form a network (i.e., simultaneous IPN). Another approach to form IPN consists of two steps: (i) blending of two different polymers which are thermodynamically miscible and (ii) cross-linking of these polymers to form a network [ 28 ]. An IPN structure, which is typically formed by the interpenetration and grafting reaction, for example between PU and unsaturated polyester, is termed as graft-IPN.…”

“…[ 34 ]. For example, the network formation due to the combination of two non-compatible polymers, i.e., tough thermoplastic and brittle thermoset, provides inherent advantages of each component, such as improved toughness, and comes from thermoplastics while thermosets are responsible for high service temperature [ 28 ].…”

Polymer matrix composites as broadband radar absorbing structures for stealth aircrafts

“…The development of PMCs was began from world war II because of the highest demand of materials with high strength to weight ratio than the metals existed in those times which were more prone to corrosion. PMCs meets both of these requirements …”

“…PMCs meets both of these requirements. [3][4][5] Being layered materials, properties of composites are tailorable. In addition, functionalities such as electromagnetic characteristics required for stealth can be incorporated with ease in composites as compared to any other materials.…”

Facile strategy and mechanism of greatly toughening epoxy resin using polyethersulfone through controlling phase separation with microwave‐assisted thermal curing technique

“…In case of a thermoplastic/thermosetting resin system, sea‐island structure, bi‐continuous structure, and phase inversion structure will be obtained by changing thermodynamic and kinetic factors that affect reaction‐induced phase separation (RIPS) . With regard to a given system with same compositions and weight ratio, when its phase structure is bicontinuous or phase inversion, then it has higher fracture toughness and impact strength than that with sea‐island structure. Therefore, many researches focused on studying RIPS in order to get expected performance through controlling phase structure.…”