AbstractLow TCE polyimides, typically BPDA-PDA and related materials are well known for their special properties which include low in-plane TCE, up to 3X higher elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength, and lower moisture uptake relative to the commonly known flexible chain polyimides [1]. These differences are due to the rod-like orientation and highly organized molecular structure of the polyimides that are derived from linear-planar precursors resulting in more anisotropic properties such as the X-Y vs Z-direction TCE [2], and optical as well as dielectric properties.In the present study, we have measured the WAXD patterns of polyimide films formed from BPDA-PDA and BTDA-PDA polyamic acid mixtures and BPDA-BTDA-PDA random copolyamic acids. In order to examine the effect of a highly flexible chain segment on the molecular anisotropy of rod-like polyimides, preliminary WAXD patterns were recorded for films of BPDA-BDAF and a BPDA-PDA-BDAF copolyimide.An in-plane and an out-of-plane crystallinity index, measures of molecular order within the polyimide films studied were estimated from the WAXD patterns. The data are correlated with the various blends and copolymer compositions and discussed in terms of structural implications.
Effective Reduction of Volumetric Thermal Expansion of Aromatic Polyimide Films by Incorporating Interchain Crosslinking
