Novel high temperature elastomers. Poly(aryl ether ketones)

Abstract

A new approach in the design of thermally stable elastomers has been investigated, in which very thermally stable polymer chains were designed with low Tg's (< 160°C) and then crosslinked. In this way, elastomeric systems for use at temperatures of 150 to 350°C could be obtained and then fulfill a goal long sought by polymer scientists. Maleimide terminated amorphous aryl ether ketone oligomers of controlled molecular weights were synthesized and crosslinked through a free radical, thermally induced reaction of the maleimide end groups. This system affords thermally stable networks, with Tg's ca. 150°C, which would be elastomeric at temperatures in the 170-350°C range. In this communication, the preliminary investigations on these novel elastomers are discussed including their modulus temperature behavior, mechanical properties, chemorheology and hysteresis measurements, and thermal stability.