Thermal behaviour of a series of poly[B-(methylamino)borazine] for the preparation of boron nitride fibers

The thermal behaviour of a series of poly[B-(methylamino)borazine] prepared at various temperatures ranging from 140 to 200 °C is studied in the present paper as potential BN fiber precursors. It was shown that the softening capability of poly[B-(methylamino)borazine] can be tailored by controlling the temperature at which polymers were prepared to achieve melt-spinning and produce high quality green fibers. Thus as-spun fibers could be next converted into boron nitride fibers using ammonia (25–1000 °C) and nitrogen (25–1800 °C) atmospheres. The quality of boron nitride fibers was shown to depend on the first part of the pyrolysis step (25 and 1000 °C; ammonia atmosphere) in which the great majority of the weight loss necessary for boron nitride production occurs. Ideal poly[B-(methylamino)borazine] as BN fiber precursors are those prepared between 170 and 180 °C. They display appropriate melt-spinnability and ceramic conversion capability.