Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
The synthesis of polycarbodiimide and polyimide in a cyanate resin precursor was achieved. A unique procedure for achieving a high molecular weight of the molecular composite reinforcement molecules was demonstrated. In spite of phase separation being present during the processing, the final cured composites were transparent. The enhanced mechanical properties and the presence of a single Tg, which increases with rigid rod content, were indications that a molecular composite was achieved. The agreement between measured mechanical properties and those predicted using molecular mechanics simulations CERIUS2 software was encouraging.