Claims
- 1. A poly-N-arylene benzimidazole foam having a density within the range of 1.5 to 10 lb/ft.sup.3, comprising the condensation product of an ortho substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydride, an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and an organic tetramine selected from the group consisting of ##STR8##
- 2. The benzimidazole foam of claim 1, wherein the dianhydride content is within the range of 2.5 mole % to 100 mile % based on the dicarboxylic acid anhydride component.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said tetracarboxylic dianhydride cross-linking agent is 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,8,5,7-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride or pyromellitic dianhydride.
- 4. The benzimidazole foam of claim 1, wherein the dicarboxylic acid anhydride is phthalic anhydride, the dianhydride is 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxilic dianhydride and the tetramine is 4,4'-bis (o-aminoanilino) biphenyl.
- 5. A method for preparing a poly-N-arylene benzimidazole foam, which comprises:
- (a) mixing the anhydride, dianhydride and tetramine components of claim 1 in the presence of 5 to 50% phenol, based on the total weight of the mixture,
- (b) heating the mixture to a temperature within the range of about 300.degree. to 400.degree. F to obtain a prepolymer,
- (c) heating the prepolymer at a programmed rate between 100.degree. and 300.degree. F per hour to a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 600.degree. F to complete polymerization, cross-linking and foaming of the reactants; all heating steps being carried out under substantially oxygen free conditions.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the foam is further heated, under substantially oxygen free conditions, to a temperature between about 625.degree. and 675.degree. F, maintained at this temperature for about 10 to 45 minutes, and post-cured at a temperature between about 750.degree. and 790.degree. F for about 40 to 80 minutes.
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract and subject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568(72 stat. 435; 42 USC 2457).
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