Cyanate Ester Composite Resins Derived from Renewable Polyphenol Sources

Cyanate ester resins were synthesized from a series of renewable phenols including; vanillin, creosol, resorcylic acid, resveratrol, and nordihydroguarietic acid. These phenols can be derived from plant sources and even waste biomass, allowing for high performance resins to be produced in an environmentally responsible manner. The physical properties, cure chemistry, thermal stability and high temperature decomposition mechanisms of the resins were rigorously studied and promising candidates were used in the fabrication of test panels on both glass and carbon fiber supports. The impressive physical characteristics of these sustainable resins suggest that they are good candidates for a variety of DoD applications. The original document contains color images.