Preparation and curing studies of maleimide bisphenol-A based epoxy resins

Maleimide modified epoxy compounds were prepared by reacting N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) maleimide (HPM) with diglycidylether of bisphenol-A. Triphenylphosphine was used as catalyst and methylethylketone as solvent. The resulting compound possessed both the oxirane ring and maleimide group. The curing reaction of the maleimide epoxy compound with amine curing agents such as 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperazine (AEP) and 5-amino- 1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane methylamine isophorone diamine, IPDA) were studied. Incorporation of maleimide groups in the epoxy resin provides cyclic imide structure and high cross-linking density to the cured resins. The cured samples were found to have good thermal stability, chemical resistance (acid/alkali/solvent) and water absorption resistance.