Intercrosslinked hybrid matrices were developed from N,N′-bismaleimido-4,4′-diphenyl methane (BMI) modified vinyl ester monomer (VEM), namely cyclohexyl-1,1′-bis[4-(γ-2-methylphenoxy)-α-hydroxypropylacrylate]-unsaturated polyester (UP) resin. BMI-modified VEM-UP hybrid matrices were characterized for their mechanical properties, viz. tensile strength, flexural strength, unnotched izod impact strength and hardness as per ASTM standards. Data obtained from thermal studies indicated that the introduction of vinyl ester monomer into unsaturated polyester resin marginally reduced the values of heat distortion temperature and glass transition temperature compared with those of the neat UP resin. Scanning electron microscopy studies of BMI modified VEM-unsaturated polyester systems exhibited a homogeneous morphology, confirming efficient chemical interaction and the formation of intercrosslinked networks.
ZhuoD., GuA., LiangG., HuJ., CaoL., and YuanL., Flame retardancy and flame retarding mechanism of high performance hyperbranched polysiloxane modified bismaleimide/cyanate ester resin, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 96(2011), 505–514.
2.
AbadieM.J.M., VoytekunasV.Y., and RusanovA.L., State of the art organic matrices for high-performance composites: a review, Iranian Polymer Journal, 15(2006), 65–77.
3.
KashiwagiT., DuF.M., DouglasJ.F., WineyK.I., HarrisR.H., and ShieldsJ.R., Nanoparticle networks reduce the flammability of polymer nanocomposites, Nature Materials, 4(2005), 928–933.
4.
LubiM., RaviC., and AhammedK.A., Modification of unsaturated polyester resin using elastomers, Journal of Elastomers Plastics, 32(2000), 60–72.
5.
ZhangM., and SinghR.P., Mechanical reinforcement of unsaturated polyester by Al2O3 nanoparticles, Materials Letters, 58(2004), 408–412.
6.
GawdzikB., MatyniaT., and ChmielewskaE., Modification of unsaturated polyester resin with bismaleimide, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 82(2001), 2003–2007.
7.
TangD., ZhangJ., and ZhouD., Influence of BaTiO3 on Damping and Dielectric Properties of Filled Polyurethane/Unsaturated Polyester Resin Interpenetrating Polymer Networks, Journal of Materials Science, 40(2005), 3339–3345.
8.
LudovicV., and HsuC.P., Polyurethane and unsaturated polyester hybrid networks: 2. Influence of hard domains on mechanical properties, Polymer, 40(1999), 2059–2070.
9.
RamisX., CadenatoA., and MoranchoJ., Polyurethane-unsaturated Polyester interpenetrating polymer networks: Thermal and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Behaviour, Polymer, 42(2001), 9469–9479.
10.
BoeyS., FanF.Y.C., and AbadieM.J.M., The application of thiolene reaction on preparing UV curablebismaleimide-containing liquid formulations, European Polymer Journal, 44(2008), 2123–2129.
11.
MustoP., MartuscelliE., RagostaG., RussoP., and ScarinziG., An interpenetrating system based on a tetrafunctional epoxy resin and a thermosetting bismaleimide: structure property correlation, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 69(1998), 1029–1042.
12.
FanJ., HuX., and YueC.Y., Thermal degradation study of interpenetrating polymer network based on modified bismaleimide resin and cyanate ester, Polymer International, 52(2003), 15–22.
13.
FangQ., LiG.Z., ZengX., and JiangL.X., Investigation on the Properties of a Three-Component Copolymer Consisting of tris(allylphenoxy) Triazine Monomer and a Diaminechain-extension Bismaleimide, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 93(2004), 475–480.
14.
Ashok KumarA., DinakaranK., and AlagarM., Preparation of characterization of siliconized epoxy-1,2-bismaleimido ethane intercrossed linked matrices materials, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 89(2003), 3808–3817.
15.
DinakaranK., Suresh KumarR., and AlagarM., Preparation of characterization of bismaleimide modified 1,3-dicyanatobenzene-epoxy intercrossed linked matrices, European Polymer Journal, 39(2003), 2225–2233.
16.
DinakaranK., and AlagarM., Development and characterization of vinyl ester oligomer (VEO) modified unsaturated polyester intercrosslinked matrices and composites, International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 52(2003), 1–10.
17.
DinakaranK., and AlagarM., Mechanical properties of bismaleimide (N,N'-bismaleimido-4,4′-diphenylmethane-vinyl ester oligomer (VEO) modified unsaturated polyester intercrosslinked matrices for advanced composites, International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 53(2004), 11–19.
18.
SharmilaR.J., AlagarM., and Karikal ChozhanC., Synthesis and characterization of N,N'-bismaleimido-4,4′-diphenylmethane-vinyl ester oligomer modified unsaturated polyester intercrosslinked matrices for advanced composites, High Performance Polymers, 19(2007), 213–230.
19.
ChandramohanA., and AlagarM., Synthesis and characterization of 1, 1-bis (3-methyl-4-epoxyphenyl) cyclohexane toughened DGEBA and TGDDM organo clay hybrid nanocomposites, High Performance Polymers, 23(2011), 197–211.
20.
Prem kumarS., Karikal ChozhanC., and AlagarM., Studies on thermal, mechanical and morphological behaviour of caprolactam blocked methylenediphenyl diisocyanate toughened bismaleimide modified epoxy matrices, European Polymer Journal, 44(2008), 2599–2607.
21.
FanL.H., HuC.P., and YingS.K., Thermal analysis during the formation of polyurethane and vinyl ester resin interpenetrating polymer networks, Polymer, 37(1996), 975–981.
22.
Karikal ChozhanC., AlagarM., and GnanasundaramP., Synthesis and characterization of Bis(3-Vinyl ester-2-hydroxy propane) ether-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) toughened epoxy-clay hybrid nanocomposites, Polymers and Polymer Composites, 16(2008), 331–342.
23.
HuX., LuT., and LiangG.Inorganic whiskers reinforced bismaleimide Composites Part II The tribological behavior of BMI/potassium titanate composites, Journal of Material Science, 40(2005), 1743–1748.
24.
SatheeshChandran M., KrishnaM., SaliniK, and RaiK.S., Preparation and characterization of chain-extended bismaleimide/carbon fibre composites, International Journal of Polymer Science, 2010. doi:10.1155/2010/987357
25.
DuanH., ZhangL., WangJ., and YangX., Morphologies and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin modified with TDI, Journal of Wuhan University of Technology Material Science Edition, 23(2008), 460–462.
