Synthesis and properties of polyimides containing polybutadiene blocks

Polyimides containing polybutadiene blocks were prepared by copolycondensation of benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate and isocyanate-endcapped polybutadiene LBD-3000. C-13 NMR CP-MAS and FTIR spectroscopies were used to determine the chemical structure of the copolymers. TGA showed that the thermal stability of the copolymers in inert atmosphere is almost independent of the polybutadiene content in the copolymer (as follows from the temperature of 10% and 20% weight loss). Stress-strain experiments showed that copolymers containing amounts of polybutadiene higher than 59wt% exhibited elastomeric behaviour. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.