Properties of electropolymerized polycarboxyphenylmethacrylamide matrices/graphite fiber composites: Crosslinking effect

Imide formation from -CONH and -COOH functional groups of 2-carboxyphenylmethacrylamide (2-CPM), 4-carboxyphenylmethacrylamide (4-CPM), 4-carboxyphenyl methacrylamide/methylmethacrylate (4-CPM/MMA) and 4-carboxyphenylmethacrylamide/N-phenylmalemide (4-CPM/NPMI) electropolymerized matrices was investigated. It was found that 2-CPM polymers undergo intramolecular imidization and anhydride formation, which result in a small amount of crosslinked network. On the other hand, the thermally cured 4-CPM polymer demonstrates a significant increase in gel fraction. Tg and dynamic storage modulus, owing to crosslinked network formation. Tgs of 4-CPM/MMA and 4-CPM/NPMI composites measured by thermomechanical analysis after thermal heating were increased and were correlated very well with the preheating time. The 4-CPM/MMA composites with a particle crosslinking (Tg increased to 245°C) maintained a higher Izod impact strength than a typical epoxy composite (200 kJ/m2 vs. 100 kJ/m2). Upon heating to promote crosslinking, a lower shear strength (65 MPa) of a 4-CPM/MMA composite increased to a strength of 78 MPa, close to the 80 MPa of an epoxy composite at 67% fiber volume fraction. A lower water absorption of around 1% was associated with the increased crosslinking. The mechanical properties of the 4-CPM/NPMI composites showed a similar trend upon preheating.