Abstract: Novel bismaleimide resin formulations are described which contain olefinic ether reactive diluents. These formulations provide a combination of prepreg processing characteristics and thermal and mechanical properties unavailable from other reactive diluents. Preferred diluents contain one or more alkyl ether groups.

Abstract: A method of molding fiber-reinforced thermoset resin articles having improved mechanical properties. A thermosettable organic material is injected into a mold containing a fiber web. The molding composition includes (a) a thermosettable organic material containing two or more polymerizable carbon-carbon double bonds, (b) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which forms a liquid homogeneous mixture with and is copolymerizable with (a) and is different from (a), and (c) an effective amount of an initiator or a mixture of initiators characterized by a ten-hour half life temperature, or in the case of a mixture of initiators, and average ten-hour half life temperature, of greater than about 50.degree. C. and less than 105.degree. C., which produces on decomposition less than 1.0 milliliter of gas per gram of resin as measured at a temperature of 25.degree. C. and a pressure of one atmosphere.

Abstract: Ethylenically-unsaturated ethers of alkenyl phenols are useful as reactive diluents for bismaleimides. Formulations comprising bismaleimides and the reactive diluents of this invention are particularly useful for producing heat and moisture resistant fiber-reinforced composites.

Abstract: Alpha-(4-maleimidophenyl)-alpha'-(4-isomaleimidophenyl) diisopropyl benzene, as a novel composition of matter. The compound, which may be used as a component of curable thermoset resins or as a unique, difunctional synthesis intermediate having non-symmetrical reactivity, may be prepared from the corresponding bis-maleamic acid by dehydrating at or below ordinary, ambient temperatures, using acetic anhydride or a similar dehydrating agent.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved process for rapidly fabricating fiber reinforced thermoset resin articles comprising: (a) providing in a heatable matched metal die mold a bonded web of one or more fibers with a melting point or a glass transition temperature above about 130.degree. C., (b) providing in an accumulator zone a liquid body of a thermosettable organic material having a viscosity determined at 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Described herein are curable molding compositions comprising a mixture of:(a) a poly(acrylate) characterized by the following empirical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is the hydroxy-free residue of an organic polyhydric alcohol which contained alcoholic hydroxyl groups bonded to different carbon atoms, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen or methyl, and n is 1 to 3,(b) acrylic or methacrylic acid or a functionalized derivative thereof having a molecular weight of less than 300 which is different from (a), and(c) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is soluble in and copolymerizable with (a) and (b) and which is different from (a) and (b). The compositions can also contain one or more fibers with a melting point or a glass transition temperature above about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Diamines of the structure ##STR1## Wherein X is --SO.sub.2 -- or --CO--, Y is O or S, and Ar is a linear aryl ether moiety comprising from 1 to 80 aryl rings, are epoxy resin curing agents providing cured resins with improved moisture resistance and toughness. The resins are particularly useful in preparing prepregs and composites.

Abstract: Described herein are novel bismaleimides and prepregable resin compositions comprising these bismaleimides and one or more liquid coreactants and optionally, one or more other additives. The novel bismaleimides, such as alpha, alpha-bis-(4-maleimidophenyl)-meta-diisopropylbenzene, are characterized by the presence of three aromatic rings in the molecular structure and in some respects optimize the desirable characteristics of the one or two and four atomatic ring-containing bismaleimides in resins prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Described herein are novel bismaleimides and prepregable resin compositions comprising these bismaleimides and one or more liquid coreactants and optionally, one or more other additives.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions containing a reactive monomer derived from the reaction product of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate and a lactone. These compositions can be reacted with other ethlenically unsaturated monomers to produce curable oligomers and polymers than can be made into high quality industrial finishes by incorporation of various conventional crosslinking agents, plus other normally used formulating ingredients.

Abstract: Described herein are novel bismaleimides and prepregable resin compositions comprising these bismaleimides and one or more liquid coreactants and optionally, one or more other additives. The novel bismaleimides, such as alpha, alpha-bis-(4-maleimidophenyl)-meta-diisopropylbenzene, are characterized by the presence of three aromatic rings in the molecular structure and in some respects optimize the desirable characteristics of the one or two and four aromatic ring-containing bismaleimides in resins prepared therefrom.

Abstract: This invention is directed to curable molding compositions containing a mixture of a poly(acrylate), a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer which serves to crosslink the poly(acrylate) to a thermoset product, a thermoplastic polymer low profile additive, and a free radical initiator mixture containing at least one initiator with a 10-hour half-life temperature (t.sub.1/2) of greater than about 90.degree. C. and at least one initiator with a 10-hour half-life temperature (t.sub.1/2) of less than about 90.degree. C. The curable molding compositions exhibit improved shrink control during the curing reaction. This invention is also directed to fiber reinforced thermoset resin articles which exhibit generally improved surface appearance quality and can be produced by a rapid injection molding process from the curable molding compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are curable molding compositions comprising a mixture of:(a) a half ester of an organic polyol characterized by the following empirical formula: ##STR1## wherein n is a number having an average value of about 1.5 to less than about 4, m is equal to the free valence of R less the average value of n, and R is the hydroxyl-free residue of an organic polyol which contained from 2 to 4, inclusive, hydroxyl groups in formula (I),(b) maleic anhydride,(c) acrylic or methacrylic acid or a functionalized derivative thereof having a molecular weight of less than 300, and(d) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is soluble in and copolymerizable with (a), (b), and (c) and which is different from (a), (b), and (c).The compositions can also contain one or more fibers with a melting point or a glass transition temperature above about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Described herein is a composition comprising a select group of substituted diamine hardeners and an expoxy resin containing two or more 1,2-epoxide groups per molecule. These compositions exhibit reduced moisture absorption, and controlled reactivity which comprises the processing characteristics of the composition.

Abstract: Described herein are curable molding compositions comprising a mixture of:(a) an unsaturated polyester;(b) acrylic or methacrylic acid or a functionalized derivative thereof having a molecular weight of less than 300;(c) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is soluble in and copolymerizable with (a) and (b) and which is different from (b); and(d) one or more fibers with a melting point or a glass transition temperature above about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to curable molding compositions containing a mixutre of a poly(acrylate), a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer which serves to crosslink the poly(acrylate) to a thermoset product, and a thermoplastic polymer low profile additive. The curable molding compositions exhibit improved shrink control during the curing reaction. This invention is also directed to fiber reinforced thermoset resin articles which exhibit generally improved surface appearance quality and can be produced by a rapid injection molding process from the curable molding compositions.

Abstract: This invention is directed to curable molding compositions containing a mixture of a poly(acrylate); a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer which serves to crosslink the poly(acrylate) to a thermoset product; a crosslinkable vinyl monomer having a reactivity ratio (r.sub.1) with styrene of greater than one and at least one of the following: (i) a second crosslinkable vinyl monomer having a reactivity ratio (r.sub.1) with styrene of greater than one, (ii) an epoxy compound having at least one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule, and (iii) an unsaturated fatty acid ester; and a thermoplastic polymer low profile additive. The curable molding compositions exhibit improved shrink control during the curing reaction. This invention is also directed to fiber reinforced thermoset resin articles which exhibit generally improved surface appearance quality and can be produced by a rapid injection molding process from the curable molding compositions.

Abstract: This invention is directed to curable molding compositions containing a mixture of a poly(acrylate), a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer which serves to crosslink the poly(acrylate) to a thermoset product, unsubstituted or substituted meta- and/or para-divinylbenzene and a thermoplastic polymer low profile additive. The curable molding compositions exhibit improved shrink control during the curing reaction. This invention is also directed to fiber reinforced thermoset resin articles which exhibit generally improved surface appearance quality and can be produced by a rapid injection molding process from the curable molding compositions.