Positron annihilation spectroscopic study of high performance semi-interpenetrating network polyimids

Semi-interpenetrating (S-IPN) network polyimids were made from different proportions of LaRC RP46 (a thermosetpolyimid) and LaRC BDTA-ODA (a thermoplastic polyimid). The ultimate goal of this networking is to improve the mechanical properties of the thermoset polyimid. Positron lifetime study was made to calculate lifetime based on second component of the life time spectra and the free volume & microvoid size. All these properties tend to decrease steadily with increasing thermoset content except at the 50 percent thermoset level where these properties show sudden drop. This result contradicts with the initial expectation that the blend properties should change gradually if it were a solid solution of thermoset (TSP) and thermoplastic (TPP) components. Thermal analyses (TMA, DSC, DMA & TGA) were run to complement the positron life time studies. The TMA and DSC studies confirm the contradiction mentioned above. Further experimentation with S-IPN polymers made at TSP/TTP content around 50/50 level are being conducted to explain this anomaly. Scanning electron microscope study of the S-IPN polyimid samples is under way in order to detect morphological differences which might help explain the phenomenon mentioned above.