Carbon–epoxy composites based on fibers coated with nylon 6,6: hygrothermal ageing versus interlaminar shear strength

Carbon fibers were coated in situ with a thin film of polyhexamethylene adipamide by an interfacial polycondensation technique. The modified fibers were used for the preparation of epoxy-based unidirectional composites. Specimens of these materials were immersed in water until equilibrium conditions were attained. The weight gain at equilibrium was determined as a function of the immersion temperature, the fiber volume fraction and the polyamide content deposited on the fibers. Water penetration in specimens made with uncoated carbon fibers increases when the volume fraction decreases. Introduction of the polyamide interlayer initially increases the water absorption, but reduces it at higher immersion temperatures and/or higher polyamide contents. The treated specimens were subjected to the short beam test to determine the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The data show that the ILSS decreases with water penetration but increases when the immersion temperature increases from 40 to 70°C. The overall performance encountered is discussed in terms of the possible roles of the polyamide interphase while taking into account mechanisms concerned with matrix plasticization, interphase degradation and residual stress relaxation.     

Recent theories of gas sorption in polymers

Theories and models are presented for gas sorption in polymers above and below the glass transition temperature. With the exception of predictive theories that do not represent the data well, the models are fit to data for the carbon dioxide/silicone rubber and carbon dioxide/polycarbonate systems for the purposes of comparison. During the past decade, a number of new models and theories have been proposed specifically for gas sorption in glassy polymers. Each new model attempts to incorporate aspects of the gas sorption process that are unique to polymers below the glass transition temperature. This review discusses these recent advances, the assumptions used in their development and their advantages and disadvantages.     

Regiochemistry of the addition of mercury salts to bornylene

The dependence of the regiochemistry of the mercuration of bornylene on the nature of the mercurating reagent and on the solvent has been found. The structures of the intermediate and transition state in these reactions have been proposed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 501–505, March, 1994.     

Reaction of pentafluorobenzoylpyruvic acid with amines

Reactions of pentafluorobenzoylpyruvic acid with amines afford the respective enamines. The intramolecular cyclization of the latter results inN-substituted 4-quinolone-2-carboxylic acids. Ammonia and triethylamine favor the cyclization of pentafluorobenzoylpyruvic acid to 2-carboxychromone.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 299–302, February, 1994.     

Cubane derivatives 1. Synthesis and molecular structures of the esters of 1,4-cubanedicarboxylic acid

An effective method of esterification of 1,4-cubanedicarboxylic acid with alkylsulfuric acids is proposed. The derivatives of alkanols with substantially different pK_a Valus are obtained in high yields. Molecular structures of the esters obtained are confirmed by various methods. The X-ray study showed a remarkable effect of the nature of an alkyl radical on the geometry of the cubane core.Translated fromIzyestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp.668–672, April, 1994.The authors thank Dr. G. V. Lagodzinskaya for analyzing the NMR spectra and for useful discussions.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,3,5-tris [4-(phenylethynyl)phenyl]benzene

The crystal structure of 1,3,5-tris[4-(phenylethynyl)phenyl]benzene (1) has been investigated. Compound1 represents a model of the repeating unit of the most typical polyphenylene, which contains 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene rings (chain centers) and acetylenic groups (complex-forming and cross-linking centers) in the main chain. The acetylene groups of neighboring molecules have a tendency to close mutual arrangement, which is favorable for their topochemical interaction. However, the relative conformational rigidity of molecules1 restricts not only the possibility of the optimal adjustment of the reactive sites of neighboring molecules to one another, but also hampers the close packing of molecules in the crystal, which contains channels filled by the solvent molecules (chloroform).Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1986–1992, November, 1994.The work was carried out with the financial support of the International Science Foundation and the American Crystallographic Association.     

Reactions of mercury salts with benzo- and tetrafluorobenzobarrelenes

Regiochemistry and stereochemistry of the addition of mercury salts to benzobarrelene and tetrafluorobenzobarrelene have been studied in acetic acid and methanol. The effect of the substrate structure on the regiochemistry of the reaction is discussed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1105–1108, June, 1994.