Cyanate ester monomers and their corresponding cyanurate networks derived from renewable and sustainable resources have exhibited a remarkable range of performance characteristics. These characteristics range from monomers with melting points below room temperature and with low moisture uptake and performance comparable to the best epoxy resins to networks with thermal resistance similar to the best available thermosetting resins of any type. The wide range of performance enables structure-property relationships for thermosetting networks to be utilized to tailor and enhance the properties of these new systems. For instance, oxidation, cyclotrimerization and subsequent functionalization of the renewable essential oil anethole enables the production of trifunctional monomers that, when cured into a macromolecular network, provide superior thermal performance compared to networks generated from bifunctional anethole derived monomers. For improved toughness, interpenetrating and/or graft co-networks can be formed by mixing highly compatible blends of polycarbonate thermoplastics and cyanate ester monomer derived from the same bio-based phenolic precursor, as illustrated with bifunctional eugenol derivatives. These enhancements facilitate the creation of products from renewable and/or sustainable sources that can meet the full range of application requirements typically associated with cyanate ester resins.

Bio-based cyanate ester resins:  Improved performance through network structure enhancement

247th National Meeting (2014)

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