High Performance Composites of Polybenzoxazine and Polyarylene Ether Nitriles (PEN)

Abstract

Polybenzoxazine (PBa) was modified by polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN) via in situ curing reaction of benzoxazine in the presence of PEN to improve toughness and thermal properties. DSC measurements of the cured blends containing PBa and PEN showed single glass-transition temperatures (Tg's) when the amount of PEN in the blends less than 20%, and the blends have significantly higher glass transition temperatures than those of each homopolymer. Tensile measurements of the films revealed that the strength and elongation was dramatically enhanced by the addition of PEN, the toughness of the PBa/PEN films was greatly enhanced. The thermal stability also increased with the increase of PEN content as evidenced by TGA. All of the mechanical and thermal characteristics show that the blends can be good candidates for the matrix resin of advanced composite materials.