Synthesis and characterization of siliconized epoxy- 1,\ud 3-bis(maleimido) benzene intercrosslinked matrix materials

Intercrosslinked network of siliconized epoxy-1,3-bis (maleimido) benzene matrix systems have been developed. The siliconization of epoxy resin was carried out by using various percentages of (5-15%) hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPDMS) with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) as crosslinking agent and dibutyltindilaurate as catalyst. The siliconized epoxy systems were further modified with various percentages of (5-15%) 1.3-bis(maleimido) benzene (BMI) and cured by using diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The neat resin castings prepared were characterized for their mechanical properties. Mechanical studies indicate that the introduction of siloxane into epoxy resin improves the toughness of epoxy resin with reduction in the values of stress-strain properties whereas, incorporation of bismaleimide into epoxy resin improves stress-strain properties with lowering of toughness. However, the introduction of both siloxane and bismaleimide into epoxy resin influences the mechanical properties according to their percentage content