Synthesis, Characterization, and Cure of Propargyl-Functionalized Cyclopentadiene for Use in Carbon-Carbon Composites

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-1999

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

A new composite resin was synthesized by reaction of cyclopentadiene with propargyl bromide and base under phase transfer conditions to give a mixture of products with two to six propargyl functionalities per cyclopentadiene ring. DSC analysis of the propargylated cyclopentadiene resin (PCP) showed thermal cure with no added initiator over a broad temperature range with a peak at 250 degrees C. FT-IR analysis of the cured resin showed the generation of new unsaturated and saturated species through a hydrogen transfer ene-like reaction and polyaddition of the propargyl groups to give oligomers and/or cyclotrimers. X-ray analysis showed no long-range graphitic order, Neat PCP resin cured at 250 degrees C gave a room temperature flexural modulus of 2.9-3.0 GPa by DMA and showed no thermal transitions up to 300 degrees C while PCP/carbon fiber composites gave a room-temperature flexural modulus of 115-120 GPa and a flexural strength of approximately 950 MPa, TGA showed exceptional carbon yield at 1000 degrees C with 75% weight retention in both air and N-2, while composites with 40 wt % resin showed 90% carbon yield. Interlaminar shear strengths of carbonized samples were comparable to those of presently used materials.

Publication Title

Chemistry of Materials

Volume

11

Issue

3

First Page

698

Last Page

703

Find in your library

Share

COinS