Silicone-acetylene hybrid resin and composite: Cure characteristics, thermal stability, and mechanical property

A novel glass fiber-reinforced composite was prepared by silicone-acetylene hybrid polymer, poly(diacetylene-benzene-silane), terminated with aminophenylacetylene (APSA) as the matrix resin. Thermosetting structural changes of the matrix resin were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was inferred that APSA possibly launched four main kinds of cross-linking reactions under the condition of heating. The curing behavior of APSA was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and rotational rheometer. The thermal stability of the thermoset was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, where the temperature of 5% weight loss and residue at 1000 degrees C (nitrogen atmosphere) were 611 degrees C and 85.4%, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis and compressive tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composite. The results showed that the glass transition temperature of the virgin composite was above 400 degrees C and the composite was heat treated at 900 degrees C for 7 min still exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with bending strength reaching 191 MPa.