NASA CASE NO.

PRINT FIG.

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The invention disclosed in this document resulted from research in aeronautical and

space activities performed under programs of the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration. The invention is owned by NASA and is, therefore, available for

licensing in accordance with the NASA Patent Licensing Regulation (14 Code of

Federal Regulations 1245.2).

To encourage commercial utilization of NASA-owned inventions, it is NASA policy to

grant licenses to commercial concerns. Although NASA encourages nonexclusive

licensing to promote competition and achieve the widest possible utilization, NASA

will provide the necessary incentive to the licensee to achieve early practical

application of the invention.

Address inquiries and all applications for license for this invention to NASA Patent

Counsel, Langley Research Center, Code 143, Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001.

Serial No." 08/299,172

08/31/94 LaRC

(NASA-Case-LAR-15109-1)

COPOLYIMIDES PREPARED FROM ODPA,

BTDA AND 3,4"-ODA Patent

Application (NASA. Langley

Research Center) 15 p

N95-14109

Unclas

G3/27 0029854

LAR 15109-1 -1- PATENT APPLICATION

COPOLYIMIDES PREPARED FROM ODPA, BTDA AND 3,4':ODA

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Cross-Reference to Related A001ications

This application is related to co-pending patent application serial

number , filed , entitled "A Solvent Resistant Copolyimide",

and co-pending patent application serial number , filed ,

entitled "A Direct Process for Preparing Semi-Crystalline Polyimides".

Origin of the Invention

The invention described herein was jointly made by an employee of

the United States Government and in the performance of work under a NASA

Contract and is subject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National

Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat.

435; 42 U.S.C. 2457).

BaCkground of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to copolyimides. In particular, it relates

to copolyimides prepared from 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride, 3,3',4,4'-

benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 3,4'-oxydianiline.

25

2. Description of the Related Art

High performance polyimides are rapidly finding new uses as matrix

resins for composites, moldings and films in addition to their traditional use as

adhesives. Since these materials display a number of performance

characteristics such as high temperature and solvent resistance, improved

flow for better wetting and bonding, high modulus, and chemical and hot

water resistance, they are useful for the manufacture of lighter and stronger

aircraft and spacecraft structures.
LAR 15109-1 -2- PATENT APPLICATION

£)ne example of this type of polyimide is that prepared by St. Clair et

al. in "Polyimide Molding Powder, Coating, Adhesive and Matrix Resin",

U.S. 5,147,966. This particular polyimide, referred to hereafter as LaRC TMIA, exhibits excellent thermooxidative stability and is melt processable at

5 temperatures ranging from 325°-350°C. LaRCrM-IA has a melt temperature

(Tm) of 295.2°C, an enthalpy of 33.2 J/g and a glass transition temperature

(Tg) of 229.6°C. As a result of these properties, this polymer has shown

potential use for molded parts, films, tubing, aircraft wiring insulation and as a

matrix resin for a composite. Unfortunately, it is not resistant to solvent when

10 subjected to stress.

Tamai et al. (European Patent Application number 91304893.0) also

prepared LaRCTM-IA along with several other readily processable polyimides

and copolyimides. An example ol one such copolyimide is that prepared from

3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether (3,4'-ODA), 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA)

15 and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). Some of the polymers prepared by

Tamai et al. exhibited excellent processability, good chemical resistance and

outstanding transparency in addition to excellent heat resistance. However,

none of the polyimides were subjected to solvent under stress. Rather, they

were tested as powders.

20 An object of the present invention is to prepare a copolyimide from a

diamine and a dianhydride blend.

Another object of the present invention is to prepare a copolyimide

which is resistant to solvent when subjected to stress.

Another object of the present invention is to prepare a copolyimide

25 which has improved adhesive properties.

Another object of the present invention is to prepare a copolyimide

which retains a low melt viscosity at 350°C while increasing the stiffness of

the polymer backbone.

Another object of the invention is to prepare composites, films and

30 adhesives from the copolyimide.
5

LAR 15109-1 -3- PATENT APPLICATION

Summary_ of the Invention

The foregoing and additional objects of the invention were obtained by

preparing a copolyimide by reacting 3,4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) with a

dianhydride blend. The dianhydride blend comprises, based on the total

amount of the dianhydride blend, about 67 to 80 mole percent of 4,4'-

oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and about 20 to 33 mole percent of 3,3',4,4'-

benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The resulting copolyimide

has the repeat units:

10

15

2O

25

wherein x is 67 to 80 mole percent of the copolyimide and y is 20 to 33 mole

percent of the copolyimide.

The copolyimide may be endcapped with up to about 10 mole percent

of a monofunctional aromatic anhydride and has unbalanced stoichiometry

such that a molar deficit in the dianhydride blend is compensated with twice

the molar amount of the monofunctional aromatic anhydride.

The copolyimide was used to prepare composites which had similar

properties to LaRC'rM-IA. Films prepared from the copolyimide were found to

be resistant to immediate breakage when exposed to solvents such as

dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and chloroform. The adhesive properties were

significantly better than those of LaRCrM-IA even after testing at 23 °, 150 °,

177 ° and 204°C. In addition, the melt viscosity at 350°C was equal to or

lower than that of LaRC'rM-IA despite stiffening of the polymer backbone.
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10

15

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LAR 15109-1 -4- PATENT APPLICATION

Descriotion of the Preferred Embodiments

By the present invention, a copolyimide having improved adhesive

properties and solvent resistance was prepared by reacting 3,4'-oxydianiline

(3,4'-ODA) with a dianhydride blend. The dianhydride blend comprises,

based on the total amount of the dianhydride blend, about 67 to 80 mole

percent of 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and about 20 to 33 mole

percent of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). In a

preferred embodiment of the invention, the dianhydride blend comprises,

based on the total amount of the dianhydride blend, 80 mole percent of

ODPA and 20 mole percent of BTDA.

The copolyimide may be endcapped with up to about 10 mole percent

of a monofunctional aromatic anhydride and have unbalanced stoichiometry

such that a molar deficit in the dianhydride blend is compensated with twice

the I,'nolar amount of the monofunctional aromatic anhydride. For the present

invention, the preferred monofunctional aromatic anhydride is phthalic

anhydride. In a preferred embodiment, the unbalanced stoichiometry is such

that a 2.5 to 5.0 percent molar deficit exists for the dianhydride blend and 5.0

to 10.0 mole percent of phthalic anhydride is used as an endcapper.

In a most preferred embodiment, the copolyimide is prepared from

3,4'-ODA and a dianhydride blend, comprising 80 mole percent of ODPA and

20 mole percent of BTDA, and the unbalanced stoichiometry is such that a

4.0 percent molar deficit exists for the dianhydride blend and 8.0 mole

percent of phthalic anhydride is used as an endcapper.

Composites, films and adhesives were prepared from the copolyimide.

Testing indicated that the copolyimide had a Tg which was 10° higher than

that of LaRCTM-IA. The melt viscosity at 350°C was unexpectedly 10,000

poise lower for the 80/20 copolyimide as compared to LaRCTM-IA. (Table 1)
LAR 15109-1 , -5-

Table 1

PATENT APPLICATION

ODPA/BTDA Initial Tg Tg After Melt Melt Viscosity Melt Viscosity

Mole Ratio °C °C (poise) 330°C (poise) 350°C

LaRCrM-IA 229.6 229.3 78,978 64,314

80/20 239.5 234.2 87,414 52,156

67/33 238.0 235.4 132,000 65,518

50/50 238.7 238.4 178,000 122,672

0/100 247.9 None observed Could not test Could not test

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Solvent resistance testing showed that a film of the copolyimide

remained creasable in acetone, methylethyl ketone and toluene as did

LaRCTM-IA but when subjected to DMAc and chloroform, there was improved

solvent resistance (Table 2). ,
LAR 15109-I -6-

Table 2

PATENT APPLICATION

Cure Temperature Modified System DMAc Chloroform

300°C LaRCTM-IA ++ ++

20% BTDA

350°C LaRCTM-IA ++ ++

20% BTDA +

371°C LaRCTM-IA ++ ++

20% BTDA +

400oc LaRCTM-IA + +

.......... 20% B'i'DA + +

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(-) Signifies creasable film

(+) Signifies that film breaks after immersion and creasing

(++) Signifies that film breaks into two pieces within one minute of immersion
5

LAR 15109-1, -7- PATENT APPLICATION

The following are examples which illustrate the preparation and use of

the copolyimide for applications such as composites, films and adhesives.

These examples are merely illustrative and intended to enable those skilled in

the art to practice the invention in all of the embodiments flowing therefrom,

and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention as defined by the

claims.

EXAMPLES

Exam.ole 1

10 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) (13.5417g, 0.0436 mole, 3 mole

percent stoichiometric offset) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4'-

oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) (18.0218g, 0.08 mole) in gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)

(210 ml), to provide a concentration of 15% solids by weight at ambient

temperature. The mixture was stirred for two hours and 3,3',4,4'-

15 benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) (14.0665g, 0.04365 mole,

3 mole percent stoichiometric offset) was added and stirring was continued

for three hours. The endcapper, phthalic anhydride (0.8798g, 0.00594 mole)

was added to control the molecular weight and stirring was continued for two

hours. The solution mixture was observed to be viscous. Glacial acetic acid

20 (GAA) (26 ml, 10% of the total solvent weight) was added and the reaction

mixture was heated to 120°C and maintained at that temperature overnight.

It was observed that the polyimide powder began to precipitate from the

solution after heating for only one hour. The precipitated polyimide powder

was collected by filtration, stirred in hot ethanol for 2 hours, filtered and dried

25 under vacuum at 180°C overnight. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

testing showed that the copolyimide exhibited a melt endotherm that had a

minimum at 336.1°C (Tm), with an enthalpy of 29.8 J/g and a Tg of 238.7°C.

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LAR 15109-1 -8- PATENT APPLICATION

Example 2

The copolyimide was prepared following the procedure of

Example 1. ODPA (18.0556g, 0.0582 mole, 3 mole percent stoichiometric

offset) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4'-ODA (18.0218g, 0.09 mole) in

GBL (236 ml) to provide a concentration of 15% solids by weight. The mixture

was stirred for two hours and BTDA (9.3770g, 0.0297 mole, 3 mole percent

stoichiometric offset) was added. Stirring was continued for 3 hours and

phthalic anhydride (0.8798g, 0.0059 mole) was added. Stirring was

continued for 2 hours and GAA (25 ml) was added. The resulting copolyimide

had a Tg of 238.0°C, a Tm of 325.6°C and an enthalpy of 33.8 J/g. The melt

viscosity was 65,518 poise at 350°C.

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"ExamDle 3

The copolyimide was prepared following the procedure of

Example 1. ODPA (21.6667g, 0.0698 mole, 3 mole percent stoichiometric

offset) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4'-ODA (18.0218g, 0.09 mole) in

GBL (208 ml). The mixture was stirred for two hours and BTDA (5.6262g,

0.0175 mole, 3 mole percent stoichiometric offset) was added. Phthalic

anhydride (0.8798g, 0.00594 mole) and GAA (25 ml) were added. The

resulting copolyimide had a Tg of 239.5°C, a Tm of 318.6°C and an enthalpy

of 39.5 J/g. The melt viscosity at 350°C was 52,156 poise.

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Examole 4

The procedure of Example 1 was followed to prepare the following

polyimide homopolymer. BTDA (25.0054g, 0.0776 mole, 3% stoichiometric

offset) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4'-ODA (16.0194g, 0.08 mole) in

GBL (214 ml) to provide a concentration of 15% solids by weight. The

reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours and the

phthalic anhydride endcapper (0.7821g, 0.0053 mole) was added. Stirring
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LAR 15109-1 -9- PATENT APPLICATION

was continued for 2 hours and GAA (26ml) was added. The resulting

polyimide powder had a Tg of 247.9°C.

ExamDle 5

The procedure of example 1 was followed to prepare the following

copolyimide. ODPA (214.4330g, 0.6912 mole, 4% stoichiometric offset) was

added to a stirred solution of 3,4'-ODA (180.2178g, 0.9 mole) in NMP

(1042.3 ml) to provide a concentration of 30% solids by weight. The mixture

was stirred for two hours and BTDA (55.6822g, 0.1728 mole) was added.

Stirring was continued for 3 hours and phthalic anhydride (10.6646g, 0.072

mole) was added. Stirring was continued overnight. The resulting

copolyamic acid had an inherent viscosity of 0.36 dL/g.

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"ExamDle 6

The copolyamic acid from example 5 was used to prepare a film. The

copolyamic acid solution was diluted to 20% solids by weight and cast on a

glass plate using a doctor blade which was set at 22 mil. The film was dried

in a dry box until it was tack-free. The films were cured for one hour each at

100 ° and 200°C and the final cure temperature as shown in Table 2. The film

was cut to a width of 0.5 inches and a thickness of 0.003-0.005 inches.

Solvent resistance testing was conducted for each film by immersing the

imidized film in solvent for one minute, bending the film lengthwise and

checking the film for breakage. Results from this testing are found in Table 2. '

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Example 7

The copolyamic acid resin of example 5 was used to prepare

composite laminates. The unidirectional prepreg was fabricated by both

standard drum winding procedures and a multi-purpose tape machine. The

prepregs were B-staged in a press set at 450°F for 1 hour. A pressure of

250 psi was applied at the subsequent temperature ramp. When the

temperature reached 500°F, vacuum was applied. The composites were
LAR 15109-1 , -10- PATENT APPLICATION

tested to determine their physical properties using test methods which are

known to those skilled in the art. Results from this testing are given in

Table 3.
LAR 15109-1

Mechanical

Property

SBS Strength, Ksi

0° Flexural Strength,

Ksi

0°Flexural Modulus,

Msi

G,c, in-lb/in 2

0°Tensile Strength,

Ksi

Modulus, Msi

0°IITRI Compression

Strength, Ksi

Modulus, Msi

CAI Strenglh, Ksi

Modulus, Msi

OHC Strength, Ksi

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Table 3

Test Condition

°C

23

93

150

177

23

93

150

177

23

93

150

177

23

23

177

23

177

23

23

23

23

23

177

PATENT APPLICATION

LaRC'rM-IA

(4% offset)

16.70

14.99

13.86

8.32

195.6

165.0

139.8

131.8

12.3

12.0

12.9

13.2

10.4

338.9

329.1

22.7

23.4

179.9

20.0

44.3

7.9

45.8

33.0

Example 7

12.11

10.63

7.92

6.46

212.9

180.6

167.0

134.7

18.9

18.5

19.0

17.9

10.7

340.0

286.0

23.1

21.8

22.1

39.2

8.5

43.9

32.5

131.8
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LAR 15109-1 -12- PATENT APPLICATION

ExamDle 8

An adhesive was prepared from the copolyamic acid of example 5.

The copolyamic acid was diluted to 25% solids by weight and was brush

coated on to a 1 12 E-glass cloth having an A-1100 finish to form an adhesive

tape. After each coat was applied, the tape was placed into a forced-air oven

and heated for one hour each at 100 °, 175 ° and 225°C. The copolyamic acid

was reapplied to the cloth until the thickness was approximately 13 mil. The

tape was heated to obtain less than 2% volatiles. The prepared adhesive

tape was used to bond lap shear specimens with titanium adherends. The

specimens were heated at 325°C and 25 psi for one hour in order for bonding

to take place. The specimens were tested at various temperatures using

conventional test methods known to those skilled in the art. The results from

this testing are given in Table 4.

15 Table 4

Test Condition LaRCTM-IA Example 8

Strength, psi Strength, psi

23°C 4437 5560

150°C 4554 5135

177°C 3833 4523

204°C 2104 3097
LAR 15109-1 PATENT APPLICATION

COPOLYIMIDES PREPARED FROM ODPA, BTDA AND 3,4'-ODA

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Abstract of the Disclosure

A copolyimide was prepared by reacting 3,4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA)

with a dianhydride blend comprising, based on the total amount of the

dianhydride blend, about 67 to 80 mole percent of 4,4'-oxydiphthalic

anhydride (ODPA) and about 20 to 33 mole percent of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The copolyimide may be

endcapped with up to about 10 mole percent of a monofunctional aromatic

anhydride and has unbalanced stoichiometry such that a molar deficit in the

dianhydride blend is compensated with twice the molar amount of the

monofunctional aromatic anhydride. The copolyimide was used to prepare

composites, films and adhesives." The film and adhesive properties were

significantly better than those of LaRCTM-IA.