Bisphenol containing novel polyimides/glass fiber composites

Abstract A new diamine was synthesized using bisphenol‐A and p‐amino benzoic acid. Polyimides I and II were prepared with the diamine and pyromellitic dianhydride/3,3′,4,4′ benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride. Bismaleimide (BMI) was synthesized using the same diamine and maleic anhydride. The prepared diamine and polyimides were characterized using FTIR. Thermo gravimetric analysis was used to study the thermal properties of synthesized polyimides and BMI. Woven glass fabric/unidirectional glass fiber‐polyimide/BMI composites were made and their properties (fiber volume fraction, density, tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness) were studied and compared with a few representative carbon fiber polyimide, carbon fiber–epoxy, and glass fiber–epoxy composites. The prepared composites were subjected to thermal aging and moisture absorption and their effects on tensile and flexural properties were studied. POLYM. COMPOS., 28: 372–380, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers