Radiation resistant amorphous–all aromatic polyarylene ether sulfones: Synthesis, characterization, and mechanical properties

The synthesis and characterization of amorphous, aromatic, polyaryl ethers has been investigated. Detailed synthesis procedures are provided. The main thrust of these activities was to synthesize polymers which could serve as castable amorphous matrix resins for carbonfiber composites and which would be highly resistant to radiation degradation. It was important that these polymers not contain any aliphatic groups in order to contrast their behavior with the commercially available Bisphenol‐A polysulfones. The approach taken was to synthesize a series of statistical or random copolymers derived from hydroquinone and biphenol together with 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenyl sulfone. In order to produce copolymers of high molecular weight, modified techniques were developed which utilized potassium carbonate as a weak base and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as the aprotic dipolar solvent. Detailed procedures are provided in this paper for the synthesis of high molecular weight copolymers of this type. In addition, stress‐strain, dynamic mechanical properties and preliminary electron beam (e‐beam) degradation studies are reported significantly. Improved mechanical property retention after e‐beam exposure was observed with the all aromatic polyether sulfones.