The Effect of Post-Cure on Structure Property and Re-Processibility Relationships of an Epoxy Glutaric Anhydride Vitrimer

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on the structure– property and re‐processability relationships for an epoxy anhydride vitrimer network based upon diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) and glutaric anhydride after cure and post‐cure. Post‐curing was conducted over different times and temperatures, and preparation methods including compression molding, a convection oven, and under vacuum in an oven. The vitrimers displayed a range of properties from quite soft and flexible through to glassy in nature, displaying increasing strength and modulus while decreasing ductility with increasing time and temperature of post‐cure. Regardless of post‐curing conditions, the networks were found to be highly re‐processable as measured by their thermal and mechanical properties. The role of competing reactions in addition to the epoxy anhydride ring‐opening polymerization reactions, such as condensation esterification reactions between carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups produced during cure, is shown to increase mechanical and thermal properties, while also controlling re‐processability.