A convenient procedure for preparation of a novel allylphenoxytriazine monomer and the properties of its copolymer with bismaleimide (BMI)

A novel allylphenoxytriazine monomer, 2,4‐di (2‐allylphenoxy)‐6‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐1,3,5‐triazine (DAPDMT) was prepared in one‐pot by reacting cyanuric chloride with 2‐allylphenol at first, and then by directly treating the adduct with N,N‐dimethylamine without separation. The monomer was used to modify a popular commercial bismaleimide (BMI) resin, 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenyl methane (BMDPM), and the results showed that the monomer could effectively improve mechanical properties of BMDPM resin without greatly decreasing heat resistance of the resin. The better results were obtained when the molar ratio of DAPDMT/BMDPM was 1 : 4. Because of more reactive sites in the monomer, the potential uses of the monomer were predicted. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2279–2284, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of triallylphenoxytriazine and the properties of its copolymer with bismaleimide

A new modifier for bismaleimide (BMI), 2,4,6‐tris(2‐allylphenoxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TAPT), with higher yield was prepared by a phase‐transfer catalyzing (PTC) procedure through the reaction of cyanuric chloride with 2‐allylphenol in the presence of aq. NaOH using tetrabutyl ammonium bromide in chloroform. The thermo‐homopolymerization behavior of TAPT was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the results showed that TAPT does not polymerize on heating. The copolymerization reaction of TAPT and 4,4'–(bismaleimidophenyl) methane (BMDPM) was also studied. and the results showed that TAPT can effectively improve mechanical properties of BMDPM. The better results were obtained when the TAPT composition was in the range 30–40 wt %. The glass fabric reinforced TAPT/BMDPM matrix composite with excellent mechanical and electric properties could be prepared by processing the resin (30 wt % TAPT) in dimethylformamide (DMF)/toluene (1:1, v/v) solution. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1248–1257, 2001     

Preparation and properties of dipropargyl ether of bisphenol A‐modified bismaleimide resins and composites

A kind of modified bismaleimide resin, with good heat resistance and processing properties for advanced composites, was developed. The modifier, dipropargyl ether of bisphenol A (DPBPA), was prepared by a phase‐transfer catalyzing procedure, characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and elementary analysis, and used to modify 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMDPM). The thermopolymerization of a DPBPA‐modified BMDPM resin was followed up by FTIR. The curing of the resin was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter and gelation characterization. The relation of viscosity and temperature was used to characterize the processability of the resin. The results of DMA analysis showed that the cured DPBPA‐modified BMDPM resins had a glass transition temperature higher than 320°C. The carbon fiber (T700) reinforced composites showed excellent flexural properties at ambient temperature and at 250°C. DPBPA could effectively improve mechanical properties without deteriorating heat resistance of the BMDPM resin a lot. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic ether nitrile monomer containing propenylphenoxy groups and properties of its copolymer with 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane

A novel aromatic ether nitrile monomer containing propenyl groups, 2,6‐di{2‐[(E)‐1‐propenyl]phenoxy} benzonitrile (DPPB), was synthesized by the reaction of 2,6‐dichlorobenzonitrile and 2‐allylphenol using anhydrous potassium carbonate as the acid acceptor, N‐methyl pyrrolidone as the dipolar aprotic solvent, and toluene as the dehydrating agent. The chemical structure of DPPB was characterized by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR. The monomer was used to modify a popular commercial bismaleimide, 4,4‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMDPM), to improve the shear strength of the resin. The results showed that DPPB could effectively improve the shear strength of the BMDPM resin without decreasing the heat resistance of BMDPM. A better result was obtained when the composition of DPPB in the copolymer was 45 wt %. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1465–1472, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of new optically active poly(amide‐imide‐urethane) thermoplastic elastomers,derived from 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐N,N′‐bis(phthaloyl‐L‐leucine‐p‐aminobenzoic acid) and PEG‐MDI

A new class of optically active poly(amide‐imide‐urethane) was synthesized via two‐step reactions. In the first step, 4,4′‐methylene‐bis(4‐phenylisocyanate) (MDI) reacts with several poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) such as PEG‐400, PEG‐600, PEG‐2000, PEG‐4000, and PEG‐6000 to produce the soft segment parts. On the other hand, 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐N,N′‐bis(phthaloyl‐L ‐leucine‐p‐amidobenzoic acid) (2) was prepared from the reaction of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐N,N′‐bis(phthaloyl‐L ‐leucine) diacid chloride with p‐aminobenzoic acid to produce hard segment part. The chain extension of the above soft segment with the amide‐imide 2 is the second step to give a homologue series of poly(amide‐imide‐urethanes). The resulting polymers with moderate inherent viscosity of 0.29–1.38 dL/g are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of this new optically active poly(amide‐imide‐urethanes) are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2288–2294, 2004     

Modification of bismaleimide resin by poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene 4,4′‐biphenyl dicarboxylate), and poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate)

Aromatic polyesters were prepared and used to improve the brittleness of bismaleimide resin, composed of 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenyl methane and o,o′‐diallyl bisphenol A (Matrimid 5292 A/B resin). The aromatic polyesters included PEPT [poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene terephthalate)], with 50 mol % of terephthalate, PEPB [poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene 4,4′‐biphenyl dicarboxylate)], with 50 mol % of 4,4′‐biphenyl dicarboxylate, and PEPN [poly(ethylene phthalate‐co‐ethylene 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate)], with 50 mol % 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate unit. The polyesters were effective modifiers for improving the brittleness of the bismaleimide resin. For example, inclusion of 15 wt % PEPT (MW = 9300) led to a 75% increase in fracture toughness, with retention in flexural properties and a slight loss of the glass‐transition temperature, compared with the mechanical and thermal properties of the unmodified cured bismaleimide resin. Microstructures of the modified resins were examined by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic viscoelastic analysis. The toughening mechanism was assessed as it related to the morphological and dynamic viscoelastic behaviors of the modified bismaleimide resin system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2352–2367, 2001     

4,4′-carbo(4,4′-bismaleimido phenoxy)diphenyl silane: Synthesis and characterization

The paper describes the successful synthesis of silicon containing bismaleimide resin 4,4′-carbo(4,4′-bismaleimido phenoxy)diphenyl silane. The char yield of the bismaleimide resin in N₂ atmosphere was found to be 55% at 800°C. Chain extension of bismaleimide with 4,4′-diamino diphenyl sulfone reduced the char yield and thermal stability.     

Microwave‐assisted and conventional polycondensation reaction of optically active N,N′‐(4,4′‐sulphonediphthaloyl)‐bis‐L‐leucine diacid chloride with aromatic diamines

3,3′,4,4′‐Diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride ( 1 ) was reacted with L‐leucine ( 2 ) in acetic acid and the resulting imide‐acid ( 3 ) was obtained in high yield. The diacid chloride ( 4 ) was prepared from diacid derivative ( 3 ) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polycondensation reaction of diacid chloride ( 4 ) with several aromatic diamines such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline ( 5a ), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane ( 5b ), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether ( 5c ), p‐phenylenediamine ( 5d ), m‐phenylenediamine ( 5e ), 2,4‐diaminotoluene ( 5f ), and 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene ( 5g ) was developed by using a domestic microwave oven in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o‐cresol. The polymerization reactions were also performed under two conventional methods: low temperature solution polycondensation in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride, and a short period reflux conditions. A series of optically active poly(amide‐imide)s with inherent viscosity of 0.25–0.42 dL/g were obtained with high yield. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these optically active poly (amide‐imide) s are reported. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2992–3000, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel functional monomer containing cyano and propenylphenoxy groups and the properties of its copolymer with bismaleimide (BMI)

A novel functional monomer containing cyano and propenylphenoxy groups, 2,6‐di{2‐[(E)‐l‐propenyl]phenoxy}benzonitrile (DPPB) was prepared with high stereospecificity by the reaction of 2,6‐dichlorobenzonitrile and 2‐allylphenol in a mixed solvent system of N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP)/toluene in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The chemical structure of the product was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The monomer was then used to modify a popular commercial bismaleimide, 4,4‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMDPM), for improving the shear strength of the resin. The results showed that the modified resin could attain 4.7 times the shear strength of neat BMDPM and good heat resistance when the composition of DPPB in the modified resin was 45% (by weight). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative study of silicon‐containing polyimides from different oxydianilines

Silicon‐containing polyimides were synthesized by solution polycondensation of bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride with 3,4‐oxydianiline and 4,4′‐oxydianiline, respectively. All the poly(amic acid) films could be obtained by solution‐casting from N,N‐dimethylacetamide solutions and thermally converted into transparent and tough polyimide films. The physical properties of thin films of those polyimides were compared by DSC, TGA, UV–visible spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The polyimide from bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride and 3,4‐oxydianiline exhibited superior energy‐damping characteristic, mechanical properties, and optical transparency, whereas that from bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline possessed higher glass‐transition temperature and thermal stability. Because of the unsymmetric structure of the polyimide from bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride and 3,4‐oxydianiline, its increasing rate of linear coefficient of thermal expansion with temperature was quicker than that of the polyimide from bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2363–2367, 2004     

Modification of three‐component bismaleimide resin by poly(phthaloyl diphenyl ether) and related copolymers

A three‐component bismaleimide resin, composed of 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenyl methane (BDM), o,o′‐diallyl bisphenol A (DBA), and o,o′‐dimethallyl bisphenol A (1.0/0.3/0.7 eq ratio) was used as a parent bismaleimide resin. Modification of the three‐component bismaleimide resin was examined by blending it with poly(ether ketone ketone)s. Poly(ether ketone ketone)s include poly(phthaloyl diphenyl ether) (PPDE), poly(phthaloyl diphenyl ether‐co‐isophthaloyl diphenyl ether) (PPIDE), and poly(phthaloyl diphenyl ether‐co‐terephthaloyl diphenyl ether) (PPTDE). The PPIDE (51 mol % isophthaloyl) and PPTDE (44 mol % terephthaloyl) were more effective as modifiers for the bismaleimide resin than was PPDE. For example, the fracture toughness (K_IC) for the modified resin increased 30% with no deterioration in the flexural strength and modulus with a 15 wt % inclusion of PPTDE (MW 23,400) compared to the parent three‐component bismaleimide resin: the K_IC increased 95% compared to the value for the Matrimid 5292 resin composed of BDM and DBA. The morphologies of the modified resins changed from particulate to cocontinuous phase structures, depending on the modifier structure and concentration. Toughening of the cured bismaleimide resin could be achieved because of the cocontinuous phase structure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2991–3000, 2001     

Synthesis and properties of novel 4,4′‐biphenylene‐bridged flame‐retardant cyanate ester resin

The bisphenol‐containing 4,4′‐biphenylene moiety was prepared by the reaction of 4,4′‐bis(methoxymethyl) biphenyl with phenol in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid. The bisphenol was end‐capped with the cyanate moiety by reacting with cyanogen chloride and triethylamine in dichloromethane. Their structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and elemental analysis. Thermal behaviors of cured resin were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and TGA. The flame retardancy of cured resin was evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL‐94 test). Because of the incorporation of rigid 4,4′‐biphenylene moiety, the cyanate ester (CE) resin shows good thermal stability (T_g is 256°C, the 5% degradation temperature is 442°C, and char yield at 800°C is 64.4%). The LOI value of the CE resin is 42.5, and the UL‐94 rating reaches V‐0. Moreover, the CE resin shows excellent dielectric property (dielectric constant, 2.94 at 1 GHz and loss dissipation factor, 0.0037 at 1 GHz) and water resistance (1.08% immersed at boiling water for 100 h). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis and properties of organosoluble polyimides derived from 2,2′‐dibromo‐ and 2,2′,6,6′‐tetrabromo‐4,4′‐oxydianilines

Two new aromatic diamines, 2,2′‐dibromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (DB‐ODA 4 ) and 2,2′,6,6′‐tetrabromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (TB‐ODA 5 ), have been synthesized by oxidation, bromination, and reduction of 4,4′‐oxydianiline (4,4′‐ODA). Novel polyimides 6a–f and 7a–f were prepared by reacting DB‐ODA ( 4 ) and TB‐ODA ( 5 ) with several dianhydrides by one‐step method, respectively. The inherent viscosities of these polyimides ranged from 0.31 to 0.99 dL/g (0.5 g/dL, in NMP at 30°C). These polyimides showed enhanced solubilities compared to those derived from 4,4′‐oxydianiline and corresponding dianhydrides. Especially, polyimides 7a , derived from rigid PMDA and TB‐ODA ( 5 ) can also be soluble in THF, DMF, DMAc, DMSO, and NMP. These polyimides also exhibited good thermal stability. Their glass transition temperatures measured by thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) ranged from 251 to 328°C. When the same dianhydrides were used, polyimides 7 containing four bromide substituents had higher glass transition temperatures than polyimides 6 containing two bromide substituents. The effects of incorporating more polarizable bromides on the refractive indices of polyimides were also investigated. The average refractive indices (n_av) measured at 633 nm were from 1.6088 to 1.7072, and the in‐plane/out‐of‐plane birefringences (Δn) were from 0.0098 to 0.0445. It was found that the refractive indices are slightly higher when polyimides contain more bromides. However, this effect is not very obvious. It might be due to loose chain packing resulted from bromide substituents at the 2,2′ and 2,2′,6,6′ positions of the oxydiphenylene moieties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and properties of new aromatic polyimides based on 2,2′‐dibromo‐4,4′,5,5′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride

New polyimides with enhanced thermal stability and high solubility were synthesized in common organic solvents from a new dianhydride, 2,2′‐dibromo‐4,4′,5,5′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DBBTDA). DBBTDA was used as monomer to synthesize polyimides by using various aromatic diamines. The polymers were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. These polyimides had good inherent viscosities in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) and also high solubility and excellent thermo‐oxidative stability, with 5 % weight loss in the range 433 to 597 °C. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Organosoluble polyimides derived from asymmetric 2‐substituted‐and 2,2′,6‐trisubstituted‐4,4′‐oxydianilines

We report a new method for the preparation of asymmetric diamines using 4,4′‐oxydianiline (4,4′‐ODA) as the starting material. By controlling the equivalents of bromination agent, N‐bromosuccinimide, we were able to attach bromide and phenyl substituents at the 2‐ or 2,2′,6‐positions of 4,4′‐ODA. Thus, four new asymmetric aromatic diamines, 2‐bromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (6), 2,2′,6‐tribromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (7), 2‐phenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (8) and 2,2′,6‐triphenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (9), were synthesized by this method. Their structural asymmetry was confirmed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Asymmetric polyimides (PI10–PI13) were prepared from these diamines and three different dianhydrides (pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride) in refluxing m‐cresol. The formed polyimides, except PI10a derived from 6 and PMDA, were all soluble in m‐cresol without premature precipitation during polymerization. These polyimides with inherent viscosity of 0.41–0.96 dL g^?1, measured at a concentration of 0.5 g dL^?1 in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone at 30 °C, can form tough and flexible films. Because of the structural asymmetry, they also exhibited enhanced solubility in organic solvents. Especially, polyimides PI11a and PI13a derived from 7 and 9 with rigid PMDA were soluble in various organic solvents at room temperature. The structural asymmetry of the prepared polyimides was also evidenced from ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In the ¹H NMR spectrum of PI11a, the protons of pyromellitic moiety appeared in an area ratio of 1:2:1 at three different chemical shifts, which were assigned to head‐to‐head, head‐to‐tail and tail‐to‐tail configurations, respectively. These polyimides also exhibited good thermal stability. Their glass transition temperatures ranged from 297 to 344 °C measured using thermal mechanical analysis. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyimide–polydimethylsiloxane copolymers for low‐dielectric‐constant and moisture‐resistance applications

Novel, randomly coupled, soluble, segmented polyimide–polydimethylsiloxane (PI–PDMS) copolymers were prepared from aminoalkyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (At–PDMS), 4,4′‐oxydianiline diamine, pyromellitic dianhydride, and 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). When At–PDMS was introduced into the polyimide chain, the polyimide copolymers exhibited lower dielectric constants and better moisture resistance and mechanical properties. The reductions in the dielectric constant of the PI–PDMS copolymers could be attributed to the incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the polyimide chain and the nanopores in the film generated by carbon dioxide evolvement during the reaction. The lowest dielectric constant was 2.58 with 25 wt % PDMS and 5 wt % MDI. In addition, the water contact angles of the resultant copolymers increased from 51 to 109° when the contents of PDMS increased from 0 to 25 wt %. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Blends of bismaleimide resins and bis(allyl phenyl) esters

The effect of reactive diluents such as bis(4-allyl 2-methoxyphenyl) adipate (AEg), bis(4-allyl 2-methoxyphenyl) terephthalate (TEg), and bis(o-allyl phenyl) sebacate (APS) on curing characteristics and thermal behaviour of bis(4-maleimidophenyl) methane (BM) chain-extended with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DADPM) is described. Samples containing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, and 45 wt.-% of these reactive diluents and bismaleimide resin were prepared. Addition of APS, AEg, and TEg affected the curing exotherm of bismaleimides. The thermal stability of bismaleimide decreased on addition of APS or AEg, but in presence of TEg an improvement in char yield at 800°C was observed. Glass fibre reinforced laminates fabricated from bismaleimide resin containing 10% APS exhibited interlaminar shear strength of 20.8 N/mm² and flexural strength of 541 N/mm².     

Synthesis and characterization of melt‐processable polyimides derived from 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene

A series of molecular‐weight‐controlled imide resins end‐capped with phenylethynyl groups were prepared through the polycondensation of a mixture of 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene and 1,3‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene with 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride in the presence of 4‐phenylethynylphthalic anhydride as an end‐capping agent. The effects of the resin chemical structures and molecular weights on their melt processability and thermal properties were systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrated that the molecular‐weight‐controlled imide resins exhibited not only meltability and melt stability but also low melt viscosity and high fluidability at temperatures lower than 280°C. The molecular‐weight‐controlled imide resins could be thermally cured at 371°C to yield thermoset polyimides by polymer chain extension and crosslinking. The neat thermoset polyimides showed excellent thermal stability, with an initial thermal decomposition temperature of more than 500°C and high glass‐transition temperatures greater than 290°C, and good mechanical properties, with flexural strengths in the range of 140.1–163.6 MPa, flexural moduli of 3.0–3.6 GPa, tensile strengths of 60.7–93.8 MPa, and elongations at break as high as 14.7%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of end‐capped polyimides and their gas permeability properties

Polyimides (PIs) based on 3,3′,4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) end capped with two new monoamines and other four different monoamines have been synthesized with a view to study the effect of different functional groups at the end of polymer chain on solubility, gas permeability, and thermal properties. The new monoamines have been synthesized from 3‐pentadecylphenol, obtained by hydrogenation of cardanol, a major constituent of cashew‐nut shell liquid. Introduction of different functional groups at the end of polyimide (PI) based on ODPA and ODA, by end capping with different monoamines, alters oxygen and nitrogen gas permeability, solubility, and thermal properties. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 627–635, 2000     

Electron‐beam curing of bismaleimide‐reactive diluent resins

Electron‐beam (E‐beam) curing of 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMPM)/BMI‐1,3‐tolyl/o,o′‐diallylbisphenol A (DABPA)–based bismaleimide (BMI) systems and their mixing with various reactive diluents, such as N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and styrene, were investigated to elucidate how temperature, electron‐beam dosage, and diluent concentration affect the cure extent. The effect of free‐radical initiator on the cure reactions was also studied. It was found that low‐intensity E‐beam exposures cannot cause the polymerization of BMI. High‐intensity E‐beam exposures give high reaction conversion attributed to a high temperature increase, which induced thermal curing. It was shown that the dilution and activation of NVP in BMI cause a more complete BMI cure reaction under E‐beam radiation. BMI/NVP can be initiated easily by low‐intensity E‐beam without thermal curing. FTIR studies indicate that about 70% of the reaction is complete for BMI/NVP with 200 kGy dosage exposure at 10 kGy per pass. The sample temperature only reaches about 75°C. The free‐radical initiator, dicumyl peroxide, can accelerate the reaction rate at the beginning of E‐beam exposure, but does not affect the final reaction conversion. The increase of the concentration of NVP in the BMI/NVP systems increases the reactive conversions almost linearly. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2407‐2416, 2004