Study on novel liquid phenolic cyanate ester as high thermal resistant composite matrix resin

In order to overcome the shortcomings of Bisphenol-A type cyanate ester resin, one novel liquid cyanate ester resin derived from low molecular phenolic resin was prepared. The liquid phenolic cyanate ester resin had low viscosity of less than 300 mPa·s at 40°C, its thermal cure was proceeded readily at 170~270°C (peak value is 230°C), and its gelation time at 160°C was found at about 75 min. All the above results revealed the resin was suitable for RTM process. The thermal cure was catalyzed by 0.5% DBTDL for a lower curing temperature and quiker curing rate. The glass temperature of the pheolic cyanate ester resin was about 350°C, quite higher than the conventional Bisphenol-A cyanate ester (about 220°C), which shows that it is suitable to be used as composite matrix of high temperature structure.