| Abstract: | A novel linear aromatic polyphenylene ethersulfideimide (BDSDA/APB) has been synthesized. Its physical, mechanical, thermal, and flow properties and its resistance to some of the more commonly used solvents were determined. The results of these property evaluations indicate this polymer system can be processed via conventional thermoplastic techniques. It has been molded, used as a resin, and cast into thin films and, accordingly, may have a wide variety of applications. Its molecular weight was varied by endcapping with phthalic anhydride. Over the M?n range 14,000–45,000 the apparent viscosities and GIc values varied only slightly. However, a change in M?n from 14,000 to 8700 resulted in a dramatic decrease in the apparent viscosity at both 250°C and 280°C. The GIc values for these same molecular weight materials decreased in a like manner as the M?n decreased, indicating tradeoffs can be made between process optimization and final mechanical properties when polymer systems are developed. |
