| Abstract: | Paraformaldehyde was end‐capped with acetyl groups and was applied as a crosslinking agent for a bismaleimide (BMI)‐modified novolac resin system. The processibility of the resin system containing 5 wt % crosslinking agent still met the need for resin transfer molding (RTM), whereas the thermomechanical properties of crosslinked resin improved significantly. The composites based on the resin system and woven glass fabric showed better flexural strength, modulus, and higher retention rates at 200 and 300°C than that based on a resin system without acetyl‐capped paraformaldehyde. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1265–1271, 2002 |
