BT-Epoxy (where BT stands for
bismaleimide triazine
Triazines are a class of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The parent molecules' molecular formula is . They exist in three isomeric forms, 1,3,5-triazines being common.
Structure
The triazines have planar six-membered benzene-like ring bu ...
, its chemical components) is one of a number of thermoset
resin
In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. Resins are usually mixtures of organic compounds. This article focuses on ...
s used in
printed circuit board
A printed circuit board (PCB; also printed wiring board or PWB) is a medium used in electrical and electronic engineering to connect electronic components to one another in a controlled manner. It takes the form of a laminated sandwich stru ...
s (PCBs). It is a mixture of
epoxy resin
Epoxy is the family of basic components or cured end products of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins, also known as polyepoxides, are a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers which contain epoxide groups. The epoxide functional group is also coll ...
, a common raw material for PCBs and BT resins. BT stands for Bismaleimide-Triazine resin. This is in turn a mixture of bismaleimide, which is also used as a raw material for PCBs and
cyanate ester. Three cyano groups of the cyanate ester are
trimerized to a triazine ring structure, hence the T in the name. In presence of a bismaleimide, the double bond of the maleimide group can
copolymer
In polymer chemistry, a copolymer is a polymer derived from more than one species of monomer. The polymerization of monomers into copolymers is called copolymerization. Copolymers obtained from the copolymerization of two monomer species are so ...
ize with the
cyano group
Cyanide is a naturally occurring, rapidly acting, toxic chemical that can exist in many different forms.
In chemistry, a cyanide () is a chemical compound that contains a functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of ...
s to
heterocyclic
A heterocyclic compound or ring structure is a cyclic compound that has atoms of at least two different elements as members of its ring(s). Heterocyclic chemistry is the branch of organic chemistry dealing with the synthesis, properties, an ...
6-membered
aromatic ring
In chemistry, aromaticity is a chemical property of cyclic ( ring-shaped), ''typically'' planar (flat) molecular structures with pi bonds in resonance (those containing delocalized electrons) that gives increased stability compared to s ...
structures with two nitrogen atoms (
pyrimidine
Pyrimidine (; ) is an aromatic, heterocyclic, organic compound similar to pyridine (). One of the three diazines (six-membered heterocyclics with two nitrogen atoms in the ring), it has nitrogen atoms at positions 1 and 3 in the ring. The oth ...
s). The cure reaction occurs at temperatures up to 250 degrees C, and is catalyzed by strongly basic molecules like Dabco (diazabicyclooctane) and 4-DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridin). Products with very high glass transition temperatures (T
g)- up to 300 degrees C - and very low dielectric constant can be obtained. These properties make these materials very attractive for use in PCBs, which are often subjected to such conditions.
Applications of Epoxy
Epoxy
Epoxy is the family of basic components or cured end products of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins, also known as polyepoxides, are a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers which contain epoxide groups. The epoxide functional group is also c ...
resin coatings have long been used in marine, construction, and industrial environments for the high level of protection they provide as a final coating. They have increasingly been used by craftspeople and artists according to the Chicago Tribune (citation ?). Epoxy flooring is valued in warehouses, and in the food industry. It is versatile and comes in a variety of colors.
References
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