Design of low temperature self-cured phthalonitrile-based polymers for advanced glass fiber composite laminates

Self-promoted copolymerization behavior and processability of phthalonitrile oligomer/phthalonitrile containing benzoxazine (Po/BA-ph) system were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic rheological analysis. The results revealed that Po/BA-ph systems exhibited double-stage curing behaviors which corresponded to the ring-opening polymerization of benzoxazine rings and ring-formation polymerization of nitrile groups. Compared with Po, processability of Po/BA-ph blends was improved and could be tuned by varying BA-ph contents, processing temperature, and time. The structures of the copolymers were also characterized and discussed to further confirm the copolymerizing behaviors. Then Po/BA-ph copolymers were employed to prepare Po/BA-ph/glass fiber (GF) composite laminates, and their mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Compared with those of Po/GF composites, the flexural strength and modulus of Po/BA-ph/GF composites were increased by 6.5 and 25 %, respectively. All of the Po/BA-ph/GF composite laminates were stable up to 430 °C in air. The systematic study of Po/BA-ph system could enrich the thermosetting resin/thermosetting resin systems in industrial applications. Meanwhile, the outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stabilities enable the Po/BA-ph/GF composite laminates to be further applied in the areas which require excellent mechanical properties and high temperature resistance.