Recent research in the field of structure-property relationships for high-performance polycyanurate networks (also known as cyanate ester networks) has demonstrated a strong connection between the development of structures incorporating increased free volume during cure at high conversions and the uptake of moisture. This connection facilitates the use of new strategies to decrease the uptake of water and thereby improve the performance of these networks. In one example, we show that the moisture uptake of polycyanurate networks is reduced by up to 50% when a methyl group <i>ortho</i>- to the cyanurate oxygen is introduced into the network structure. In this case, although the free volume in the network increases at high conversions, the presence of the methyl group blocks access to favored binding sites used in moisture uptake. In another example, we explore the effect of the molecular architecture of bridging groups between aromatic rings on the development of free volume during the thermal cure at high conversions, and the resultant impacts on water uptake.

Interactions between structure and properties that control moisture uptake in high-performance polycyanurates

249th National Meeting (2015)

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