Crosslinking-property relationships in PMR polyimide composites. I

The thermooxidatively-induced crosslinking/ physical and mechanical property relationships of graphite fiber-reinforced PMR polyimide-matrix composites were studied during isothermal exposure of the composite specimens at 288 C in air for periods of up to 5000 hr. The crosslinking densities due to this treatment were estimated on the basis of the kinetic theory of rubber elasticity and shifts in the glass transition temperature T(g). Several linear relationships are noted between crosslink density and physical and mechanical properties: T(g), initial weight loss, and elevated temperature interlaminar shear strength increase with crosslink density, while initial moisture absorption decreases. After achieving the highest crosslink density, several of the composite properties begin to decrease from their maximum values.