Crosslinkable polyamide–imides

Abstract A series of polyamide–imides were prepared from aromatic diamines and substituted isophthaloyl chlorides containing unsaturated imide rings. Aromatic polyamides from isophthaloyl chloride were also prepared for comparison. The polyamide‐imides gave enhanced solubility compared to the aromatic polyamides and there was no deterioration in thermal stability or T g . The PAIs were crosslinked by heating at 280°C/4 h under nitrogen. After this heat treatment all the PAIs became insoluble and their mechanical properties increased substantially; their thermal behavior, as measured by DSC and TGA, changed as a function of their chemical structure.