| Abstract: | Hydrolytically and thermooxidatively stable fluorocarbon ether bibenzoxazole (FEB) polymers were synthesized by the acetic acid-promoted polycondensation of fluorocarbon ether bis(o-aminophenol) monomers with novel fluorocarbon ether dithioimidate ester monomers. The dithioimidate esters were derived from hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) or, preferably, from a combination of HFPO and tetrafluoroethylene oxide (TFEO). The latter class of TFEO:HFPO-derived dithioimidate esters imparted improved hydrolytic stability to the resultant FEB polymers while minimizing undesirable, concomitant increases in polymer glass transition temperatures. The polymers exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.20 to 0.41 dl/g. Polymer structures were verified by elemental and infrared (IR) spectral analyses. Lower glass transition temperatures were obtained with increased fluorocarbon ether content, a minimum value of ?48°C being achieved. High thermooxidative stability of the HFPO- and TFEO:HFPO-based FEB polymers was substantiated by thermogravimetric analysis and isothermal aging studies in air. After isothermal aging in air for 200 hr at 288 and 260°C, representative polymers exhibited weight losses of 17 and 7%, respectively. Hydrolytic stability of the polymers was evaluated by exposure to a 95% relative humidity, 93°C environment for prolonged periods of time. Based on comparative glass transition temperature, inherent viscosity, and IR spectral data, the HFPO- and TFEO:HFPO-based FEB polymers exhibited vastly improved hydrolytic stability over analogous TFEO-based FEB polymers. Optimum hydrolytic stability and low-temperature viscoelastic properties were achieved by the use of a TFEO:HFPO-derived dithioimidate ester that did not contain structural isomers that would lead to sites of hydrolytic instability in the polymer backbone. |
