Long latency vitrimer formulation for carbon fibres prepregs composites.

Overview & Synopsis

Vitrimers are currently investigated for their potential to produce strong, healable, recyclable and reprocessable matrices. Nonetheless their uses at industrial scale still present new challenges to be addressed. In the present work, we investigate the suitability of vitrimer based carbon fibre reinforced polymers for space application. Especially, we aimed at proving that formulation of catalysed epoxy vitrimer resin can be adapted to form prepregs carbon fibres that have good storage and handling properties. For this purpose, we focused our efforts to develop a vitrimer resin comprised of an epoxide and a crystalline hardener that shows long latency and satisfying viscosity for being stored and laminated in an industrial environment. Spectroscopy and rheology confirmed those requirements before production of a carbon fibres laminates with Thales Alenia Space (TAS). Furthermore, after curing, the vitrimer properties were used to bond laminates without adhesive (exhibiting cohesive fracture after breaking) and separate carbon fibres via depolymerisation.