Polyimides silica-reinforced

Recent work has focused on a variety of thermoplastic elastomers and modified thermoplastic polyimides based on the aminopropyl end functionality present in suitably equilibrated polydimethylsiloxanes. Characteristic of these are the urea linked materials described in references 22-25. The chemistry is summarized in Scheme 7. A characteristic stress-strain curve and dynamic mechanical behavior for the urea linked systems in provided in Figures 3 and 4. It was of interest to note that the ultimate properties of the soluble, processible, urea linked copolymers were equivalent to some of the best silica reinforced, chemically crosslinked, silicone rubber... 

The hybrid materials having silica content below 50 wt% were composed of polyimide matrix with finely dispersed silica particles, and their hardness values were very close to that of the matrix polyimide. On the other hand, the hybrid materials having a silica content over 50 wt% were very hard and tough, and their hardness values increased with increasing silica content. In the latter hybrid materials, the silica formed a continuous phase with polyimide as the minor phase that probably acts as binder. This is a new type of polyimide-based composite, and may be referred to as polyimide-reinforced silica glass , al-... 

Organic matrices are divided into thermosets and thermoplastics. The main thermoset matrices are polyesters, epoxies, phenolics, and polyimides, polyesters being the most widely used in commercial applications (3,4). Epoxy and polyimide resins are applied in advanced composites for structural aerospace applications (1,5). Thermoplastics Uke polyolefins, nylons, and polyesters are reinforced with short fibers (3). They are known as traditional polymeric matrices. Advanced thermoplastic polymeric matrices like poly(ether ketones) and polysulfones have a higher service temperature than the traditional ones (1,6). They have service properties similar to those of thermoset matrices and are reinforced with continuous fibers. Of course, composites reinforced with discontinuous fibers have weaker mechanical properties than those with continuous fibers. Elastomers are generally reinforced by the addition of carbon black or silica. Although they are reinforced polymers, traditionally they are studied separately due to their singular properties (see Chap. 3). 

Anhydride Epoxy tyrene Polyimide Epoxies Polystyrene Scheme 15.1. Concept of polymer reinforcement using reactive groups on the silica surface. 

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