Poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole) fibers: New fibers with superior high temperature resistance

A polyoxidiazole fiber, alt. poly[1,3‐/1,4‐phenylene‐2,5‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)], with excellent thermal stability was prepared from poly(isophthalic‐terephthalic hydrazide) fiber by thermal cyclodehydration. Conversion of this polyhydrazide fiber proceeded at 280°C. in a muffle furance under positive nitrogen pressure and was completed in 48–72 hr., as evidenced by elemental analyses. The resulting polyoxadiazole fiber had the following typical fiber properties: T/E/Mi/den. = 2.6/3.1/124/3.1. It was thermally stable when exposed for prolonged periods of time at temperatures of 400°C. During heat treatment between 300 and 400°C. the initial polyoxadiazole fiber undergoes a structural change and final properties were: T/E/Mi/den. ∼ 1.5/1.5/90/3.0. The polyoxadiazole structure was found to degrade severely at 450°C.