Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
As part of a program to develop high performance structural resins for aerospace applications, a variety of poly(arylene ether benzimidazole)s were prepared by the nucleophilic displacement reaction of activated aromatic difluorides with bis(hydroxyphenylbenzimidazole) monomers. Glass transition temperatures as high as 364°C and room temperature unoriented thin film tensile strength and modulus as high as 22.8 ksi and 652 ksi, respectively, were observed. The polymer prepared from the reaction of 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene and 5,5′-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole] was selected for more extensive evaluation. To improve the processability, the molecular weight was reduced by upsetting the stoichiometry. Polymers were endcapped with benzimidazole, ethynyl and phenylethynyl groups. The chemistry, physical, and mechanical properties of these materials are presented.