Mechanism of cyclohexene vapor curing polycarbosilane fibers

Cyclohexene vapor, instead of air, is applied to cure polycarbosilane (PCS) fibers. The cured fibers are characterized by infrared (IR), electron spin resonance (ESR), elements analysis (EA) and simulated through the HyperChemᵀᴹ program for comparison. The curing process is investigated by thermoanalysis. The results indicate that the Si–H and Si–CH₃ bonds in PCS are induced by cyclohexene to cleavage and form Si-central radicals. A fully developed cross-linking fibers come into being through the combination of these radicals, and the byproducts, some cyclohexyls bonded onto PCS derived from cyclohexene, introduce the variations in IR spectra, weight gain and carbon contents increase of PCS. On the basis of investigation and simulation, a likely mechanism of curing reaction is presented.