Isabella Montgomerya, Andrew F. Parsonsa and Terry McGrailb a Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK b Cytec Research Support Group, PO Box 90, Wilton, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS90 8JE, UK.

Maleimides are used in a wide range of applications ranging from advanced composites in the aerospace industry to their use as reagents in synthesis. For example the aerospace industry requires materials with good thermal stability and a rigid backbone both of which are provided by bismaleimides. However, a problem found with bismaleimides is that they are fairly brittle; this can be a major problem if the material has to withstand large forces.

One of the areas this project is focusing on is to try and incorporate various different types of linkers e.g. polysiloxanes, phosphonates in order to toughen the bismaleimide polymers. The linkers, as well as toughening the polymers, may also introduce other improvements e.g. phosphonate linkers introduce flame retardancy.

Also of note is the fact that currently the polymerisation and cure of a bismaleimide is expensive and requires high temperatures. What this project hopes to achieve is low temperature initiation and cure, preferably at room temperature, of a bismaleimide by developing a radical initiator that can promote polymerisation at room temperature.

© Department of Chemistry, University of York.