ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the present state of high-performance polymers — science and practice. Principal attention will be given to polyimides with reference also to other high-performance polymers. Polyimide chemistry has broadened phenomenally in the last decade covering a multiplicity of chemical structures and broad and diverse industrial outlets. The initial impetus to polyimide development was based on the outstanding thermal durability of the aromatic polyimides. The two-step technique appeared in the 1950s and was the basis for initial development of the aromatic polyimides. The invention of polyimides brought with it the realization that many otherwise useful polyimides had poor stability under exposure to aqueous caustic or to water alone. In addition to polyimides, polyamides and poly(amide/imides) were also examined showing similar results and thereby indicating the breadth of possibilities. Polyimide fibers have received continued attention over many years beginning with the pioneering work of Irwin of DuPont.
