Effects of POSS Addition On Bisphenyl-E Cyanate Ester Network

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-4-2016

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and cerium (IV) oxide were added to a bisphenol-E cyanate ester matrix as protective filler for UV/atomic oxygen exposure. These additions did not adversely affect properties such as thermal degradation and glass transition temperature. However, cure conversion decreased at 30 wt% glycidyl POSS from on average 95% to 89 wt% conversion indicating a potential loading limit. Scanning electron microscopy revealed 1-5 μm POSS aggregations located uniformly throughout sample cross sections. Ceria also was well dispersed but did form an approximately 50 μm layer on the bottom edge of samples. Altering the cure to introduce an isothermal hold to take advantage of a low viscosity region did not change this particle distribution and there was no difference between the location of POSS and ceria specifically as detected by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Future work will target development of a dual layer combination of matrix and a CeO2/POSS-rich overlay to avoid issues with control of filler aggregate location.

Publication Title

57th AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference

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