Imid-400

Development and optimization of polyimide-based materials for adhesive bonding, potting and coating for fields of use up to 400 °C

Starting situation and problem definition

Polyimide-based materials belong to the group of high-performance polymers that have been developed especially for niche applications in high-tech markets such as electronics, aerospace and automotive. They are mostly used in the form of pieces, fibers or films. They are distinguished from standard and engineering plastics by their better mechanical properties and higher temperature resistance.

Due to the ever-increasing demands on products of our time, high-performance polymers are increasingly being used for mass products. As a result, the market share of polyimides is growing steadily. An annual growth rate of just under 5% is expected in the next 5 years.

The project aims to develop a range of modified polyimide-based materials, which should have a variety of properties depending on the customer's requirements or the intended application. Concrete customer requirements are currently, for example, the adjustability of the viscosity while maintaining the temperature stability or good adhesion in metal-polyimide film composites with high temperature stability (>420 °C) while maintaining the bond.

Progress

First, possible modifications to polyimides, such as chemical attachment of functional groups, additions of additives, etc., are made. Based on this, samples are prepared and tested for their functionality as their properties, such as thermal resistance, glass transition, viscosity, curing, etc. metrologically determined.

The new adhesives, potting compounds and coatings developed in this way are subsequently used to produce bonded, potted and coated laboratory samples. Subsequently, they are exposed to suitable application-related loads in order to be able to evaluate the later suitability for use.

In addition, the adhesion of the developed polyimide-based products to various material surfaces is investigated and optimized.

In addition, correlations between the properties and between structural features and their mutual influence are explored, which should facilitate the future synthesis of further new material variations.