Polyamide imides

Polymers of this type have exceptional good values of strength, stiffness and creep resistance (see Table 18.13). After 100 h at 23°C and a tensile load of 70 MPa the creep modulus drops only from 4200 to 3(K)0 MPa whilst at a tensile load of 105 MPa the corresponding figures are 3500 and 2500 MPa respectively. If the test temperature is raised to 150°C the creep modulus for a tensile load of 70 MPa drops from 2400 to 1700 MPa in 100 h. 

Three months immersion in water leads to a 5% w/w absorption of water which at this level leads to a reduction in the heat distortion temperature (ISO) of 100 Celsius degrees. 

Torlon-type polymers are unaffected by aliphatic, aromatic, chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons, dilute acids, aldehydes, ketones, ethers and esters. Resistance to alkalis is poor. They have excellent resistance to radiation. If a total of 10 Mrad is absorbed at a radiation dosage of 1 Mrad/h the tensile strength decreases by only 5%. 

Uses of the polyamide-imides include pumps, valves, gear wheels, accessories for refrigeration plant and electronic components. Interesting materials may be made by blending the polymer with graphite and PTFE. This reduces the coefficient of friction from the already low figure of 0.2 (to steel) to as little as 0.02-0.08. 

Polyamide-imides may also be produced by reacting a diacid chloride with an excess of diamine to produce a low molecular mass polyamide with amine end groups. This may then be chain extended by reaction with pyromellitic dianhydride to produce imide linkages. Alternatively the dianhydride, diamine and diacid chloride may be reacted all together. 

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TrimeUitic anhydride is converted to PVC plasticizers, polyesters, water-soluble alkyd coatings, and polyamide—imide resias. The trimellitate plasticizers have a lower volatility than those derived from phthaUc anhydride (see Plasticizers). 

Polyamide Imides. Polyamide imides (PAIs) are formed from the condensation of trimellitic anhydride and aromatic diamines (33). The polymer is called amide—imide because the polymer chain comprises amide linkages alternating with imide linkages, with the general chemical stmcture ... 

Closely related to the polyamides are the polyimides and derivatives such as polyamide-imides and polyether-imides. These are discussed in Sections 18.13 and 18.14. 

In addition to the commercial aromatic polyamides described above many others have been prepared but these have not achieved commercial viability. There are, however, a number of other commercial polymers that contain amide groups such as the polyamide-imides. The latter materials are discussed in Section 18.14. 

Some typical properties of a fabricated solid grade (Vespel-Du Pont) are given in Table 18.13 together with some data on a graphite-loaded variety and a commercial polyamide-imide (Torlon 2000—Amoco). 

The successful introduction of the polyimides stimulated attempts to produce somewhat more tractable materials without too serious a loss of heat resistance. This led to the availability of a polyamide-imides, polyester-imides and the polybismaleinimides, and in 1982 the polyether-imides. 

If trimellitic anhydride is used instead of pyromellitic dianhydride in the reaction illustrated in Figure 18.35 then a polyamide-imide is formed (Figure 18.37). The Torlon materials produced by Amoco Chemicals are of this type. 

The polyetherimides are competitive not only with other high-performance polymers such as the polysulphones and polyketones but also with polyphenylene sulphides, polyarylates, polyamide-imides and the polycarbonates. 

Over the years polymers have been produced suitable for use at progressively higher temperatures. Where this is a requirement, it is usual first to decide whether a rubbery or a rigid material is required. If the former, this has been dealt with by the author elsewhere." If the latter, it is usually convenient to look in turn at polycarbonates, PPO-based materials, polyphenylene sulphides, polysul-phones, polyketones such as PEEK and PEK, polyamide-imides, poly-phthalamides, fluoropolymers, liquid crystal polymers and polyimides. 

Potyimides obtained by reacting pyromellitic dianhydride with aromatic amines can have ladder-like structures, and commercial materials are available which may be used to temperatures in excess of 300°C. They are, however, somewhat difficult to process and modified polymers such as the polyamide-imides are slightly more processable, but with some loss of heat resistance. One disadvantage of polyimides is their limited resistance to hydrolysis, and they may crack in aqueous environments above 100°C. 

Polydithiazoles Polyoxadiazoles Polyamidines Pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile Polyvinyl isocyanate ladder polymer Polyamide-imide Polysulfone Decompose at 525°C (977°F) soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid. Decompose at 450-500°C (842-932°F) can be made into fiber or film. Stable to oxidation up to 500°C (932°F) can make flexible elastomer. Stable above 900°C (1625°F) fiber resists abrasion with low tenacity. Soluble polymer that decomposes at 385°C (725°F) prepolymer melts above 405° C (76l.°F). Service temperatures up to 288° C (550°F) amenable to fabrication. Thermoplastic use temperature —102°C (—152°F) to greater than 150° C (302°F) acid and base resistant. 

Fig. 6-14 specific modulus = modulus/density. Plastics include use of the heat-resistant TPs such as the polimides, polyamide-imide, and others. Table 6-21 provides data on the thermal properties of RPs. To date at least 80 wt % are glass fiber and about 60 wt% of those are polyester (TS) type RPs. 

POLY IM IDES SILICONES FLUOROPLASTICS POLYAMIDE-IMIDE EPOXY POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE 500-800 400-600 300-550 520-545 175-500 500... 

Polyvinyl isocyanate ladder polymer Polyamide-imide Soluble polymer that decomposes at 385°C (725°F) prepolymer melts above 405°C (761°F). Service temperatures up to 288°C (550°F) amenable to fabrication. 

Figure 5.22 Synthesis of polyamide-imide by catalytic carbonylation of bis-4-chlorophthalimide in presence of aromatic diamine.

Polyamide-imide is an amorphous thermoplastic having the formula shown in Figure 4.112. 

Polyamide-imides are appreciated for good mechanical and electrical properties high service temperatures (up to 220°C with possible long service times at 260°C) rigidity good creep behaviour fatigue endurance low shrinkage and moisture uptake inherent flame retardancy chemical resistance usability down to -196°C. 

Polyamide-imides are handicapped by the cost (justified by the performances), a high density, the small numbers of grades and sources. PAI can slowly absorb some water in a wet environment, which has a plasticizing effect and can lead to a significant linear expansion. 

The consumption of polyamide-imide varies according to the country and the source, but is too low to be listed in statistics. It can be approximately divided into four main sectors ... 

Polyamide-imide is an engineering plastic used only for specialized and technical applications. 

For a neat grade of polyamide-imide, compared to the value at ambient temperature, the percentage retention of flexural strength is roughly ... 

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