4'-bismaleimi-dodiphenyl methane (BMI) were prepared via solvent method. The curing behaviors of the BZ/BMI blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
FTIR
and gelation time test. The thermal properties and mechanical properties of the BZ/BMI cured blends were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electromechanical universal testing machine. The results showed that the addition reaction between phenolic hydroxyl group and the double bond occurred except for the homopolymerizations of BZ and BMI. The curing temperature and the gelation time of the blends were lowered. The cured BZ/BMI blends exhibited excellent thermal properties. When BMI content was 80%
the cured BZ/BMI blends exhibited higher glass transition temperatures (Tg) than BZ and BMI homopolymers
which reached up to 289℃. The 5% and 10% weight loss temperatures (Td5 and Td10) reached up to 387℃ and 422℃
respectively. Meanwhile
when BMI content was 60%
shear strength of the cured BZ/BMI blends achieved to 12.44 MPa. Furthermore
glass cloth (GF) reinforced laminates based on the cured BZ/BMI blends were prepared
and their mechanical properties and morphologies were investigated. The results showed that the enhanced mechanical properties were mainly due to the strong interfacial adhesions between GF and matrices
which was confirmed by SEM observations. When BMI content was 40%
their tensile strength
flexural strength and impact strength reached up to 394 MPa