Synthesis and characterisation of epoxy–novolac/bismaleimide networks

Epoxy–novolac resin was modified with 1,1′-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene) bismaleimide (BMI), and cured with an aromatic amine. Cure behaviour of these blends was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermograms indicated a unimodal exothermic peak for blends containing lower percentage of BMI. The cured blends showed much higher glass transition temperatures than that of the unmodified epoxy. Thermal stability of the cured epoxy resin was also improved with BMI addition. A homogeneous structure (with no phase separation) of the blends was confirmed both by DSC analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).