Thermally induced transesterification reactions have been proposed as a means of achieving reworkability and reprocessability in polymer networks, leading to a class of materials commonly referred to as “vitrimers”. The present study aims to compare the performance of reworked epoxy thermosets vs. their pristine counterparts. In particular we focus on a high-performance anhydride cured petroleum-based epoxy and a bio-based analog. The transesterification catalysts used in this work have proven activity as evaluated through compressive creep and stress relaxation experiments. Cured specimens of both epoxy formulations have been processed and characterized, then ground to a powder and reconsolidated via thermally triggered transesterification. These reworked samples were then characterized for comparison purposes. We report on (re)processing parameters, mechanical properties and evaluation of these networks for reprocessability under a range of experimental conditions. In addition, the reprocessability of various blends of epoxy powders with and without catalyst is assessed.

Reprocessing of anhydride-cured epoxy vitrimers

254th National Meeting (2017)

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