Cytec Technology Corporation

Ioannis Manolakis

Patrick Terence McGrail

Paul Mark Cross

Francois Pierre Vincent Paoloni

Howard Matthew Colquhoun

Philip Hodge

Howard Mathew Colquhoun

Patrick Terence Mcgrail

Francois Pierre Paoloni

The embodiments of the present disclosure present systems and methods for the reversible solubilization of (aryl ether ketones) (PAEKs). A thioacetalization process is employed to modify the PAEKs into poly (aryl ether thioacetals) which, unlike PAEKs, are substantially soluble in common solvents. This modification allowing selected analysis techniques to be more easily performed on PAEKs, such as gel permeation chromatography. The thioacetalization may be reversed through a deprotection reaction to recover the original PAEK without substantial degradation, allowing for non-destructive characterization of the PAEK. Advantageously, the thioacetalization process is generally applicable to a broad range of PAEKs, unlike presently known methods of solubilizing PAEKs. Solubilization of PAEKs further expands the utility of the PAEKs, opening up additional routes to chemical modification of PAEKs, as well as allowing for the possibility of processing PAEKs from solution.

Reversible derivatization of poly (aryl ether ketones)

A method of forming a polymer matrix composite using a soluble derivative of a poly (aryl ether ketone) (PAEK). The method includes mixing a starting PAEK polymer with a solvent and an acid, said solvent being selected from a group consisting of diethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxin, and chlorinated solvents; reacting the PAEK mixture with a Lewis acid and a thiol compound in amounts effective to form a poly (aryl ether thioacetal) compound which comprises at least one thioacetal group; and impregnating a plurality of fibers in a solution comprising said poly (aryl ether thioacetal) compound.

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Berkshire, United Kingdom

Ioannis Manolakis