Viscoelastic characterization of reformable epoxy vitrimers composites

Epoxy Vitrimers are gathering attention as a development in the field of more easily re-processable and self-healing thermosets. Incorporating a catalyst should activate the transesterification reaction within the polymeric macromolecule inducing topological modification of the network. Reacting epoxy precursors with suitable anhydrides and acids will promote exchange reactions between esters and beta-hydroxyls, adding the vitrimeric behaviour. In the present work, a commercial epoxy system suitable for CFRP manufacturing has been modified to induce vitrimeric behaviour by exploiting the catalytic activity towards the transesterification reaction of Zn2+. Creep experiments confirm that the resin starts to flow above a critical “Vitrimeric” temperature (Tv). Moreover, the thermoformability of vitrimer-CFRP has been investigated by reprocessing CFRP coupons.