Characterization of rapid thermal curing of polyimides

Abstract

In this study, films of PMDA-ODA polyamic acid are thermally cured to the imidized state using rapid thermal processing. The extent of imidization and subsequent microstructural state of the polyimide are investigated using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Polyimides have been thermally cured from the polyamic-acid precursors in times as short as 3 seconds. The extent of molecular ordering is greater for samples which were rapidly cured than for samples which had been cured using a slow thermal ramp. Samples which have been cured using rapid thermal processing exhibit less in-plane molecular orientation due to polymer chain relaxation which occurs when the polyamic-acid is quickly heated above its glass transition temperature.