A novel epoxy containing rigid rods in the side chain (SR-epoxy) was synthesized by bulk polymerization. The SR-epoxy resins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared. The cured SR-epoxies showed excellent mechanical properties and high thermal stabilities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cured SR-epoxy illustrated a fiber-like morphology. The thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, compatibility, and morphology of the SR-epoxies were extensively investigated in the study. SEM photographs showed that there were some fiber-like structures in the system of the SR-epoxy containing the rigid-rod group 4,4'-bis(6-hydroxyhexoxy) biphenyl, which formed a self-reinforcing composite. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.