Vitrimers are an emerging class of cross-linked polymers that display thermoset-like mechanical properties at service temperatures, but can be reprocessed at elevated temperatures due to the incorporation of chemical bonds that undergo thermally-activated dynamic exchange reactions. We have developed several non-isocyanate polyhydroxyurethane vitrimers derived from bis(6-membered cyclic carbonates) and polyamines. These networks exhibit tensile properties competitive with traditional thermosets at room temperature, and undergo associative transcarbamoylation reactions at elevated temperatures enabling recovery of as much as 75% of their tensile strength after reprocessing. We will present our investigation into the stress relaxation behavior and reprocessability of polyhydroxyurethane networks. Furthermore, we will discuss how these studies have informed our design of reprocessable cross-linked polyurethanes that can potentially be reprocessed more quickly and efficiently.

Reprocessable cross-linked polyurethanes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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