Polyimide analysis using diffuse reflectance-FTIR

Abstract

The thermal imidization of a number of polyimide precursors in the form of powders, films, and prepregs was examined by an in situ diffuse reflectance-FTIR technique where infrared spectra were determined while the material was being heated. An analysis of these spectra revealed that, with the exception of one water soluble adhesive, each precursor developed an anhydride band around 1850 cm/cu during imidization. This band diminished in intensity during final stages of cure. Efforts were made to quantify the amount of anhydride in several samples. Evidence obtained could be interpreted to mean that poly(amic acid) resins undergo an initial reduction in molecular weight during imidization before recombining to achieve their ultimate molecular weights as polyimides. Several reports in the literature are cited to support this interpretation. This report serves both to document anhydride formation during imidization and to increase our fundamental understanding of how polyimides cure.