Glass‐transition temperature governs the thermal decrosslinking behavior of Diels–Alder crosslinked polymethacrylate networks

Abstract

A series of Diels–Alder (DA) crosslinked polymethacrylate networks covering a broad range of glass‐transition temperatures (Tg) was prepared to establish the relationship between the Tg and the thermal decrosslinking behavior of these networks. A series of permanently crosslinked and uncrosslinked analogues were also prepared to better understand the thermoset‐to‐thermoplastic transition occurring in the DA networks at elevated temperatures. The network series were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis, which established an inverse relationship between Tg and decrosslinking ability. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the viability of the DA linkages in all formulations, and a trapping experiment with 9‐anthracenemethanol demonstrated that even the least responsive network was capable of undergoing decrosslinking given appropriate thermal treatment. While polymer chain mobility has long been understood to be a critical factor in healable materials, this work verifies the importance of this parameter in the decrosslinking of DA networks. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 193–203

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 23, 2019
Source ID
10.1002/pola.29524

Entities

People

  • Brent Sumerlin
  • Christopher A. Crouse
  • Daniel J. Dobbins
  • Georg M. Scheutz
  • Hao Sun

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Division of Materials Research
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Florida

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  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science