Synthesis and solution imidization studies of soluble poly(imide siloxane) segmented copolymers

Soluble metalinked poly(imide siloxane) segmented copolymers were synthesized utilizing a THF/NMP cosolvent system. The presence of dual solvent makes it possibled to reach high molecular weight in the amid acid stage. Incorporation of siloxanes at about 10 weight percent or higher enables the materials to be fully soluble in a range of polar solvents even after imidization. Imidization may be achieved either by conventional thermal methods on cast amic acid films or in appropriate solvent/azeotroping-agent systems employing moderate temperatures. The imidization procedure has been followed by FT-IR and NMR studies. FT-IR studies show the solution imidization follows first order kinetics and proceeds to about 96 percent completion. NMR studies of the isolated products show residual amic acid may be present after solution imidization, but only at very low levels. Properties of the solution imidized materials compared well with those obtained from samples imidized as thin films.