POS7-0504
Improving the Thermal Shock Durability of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites via Bond Exchange Reactions
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Yunghee Jung (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) have been widely adopted as high-performance structural materials in aerospace, automotive, and energy applications, where they are frequently exposed to repeated temperature changes. Under repetitive thermal shock environments, the mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the matrix and reinforcing fibers leads to interfacial damage and delamination. The initiation and propagation of microcracks result in degradation of stiffness and strength. Moreover, the permanently cross-linked thermoset network limits damage recovery, thereby shortening the service life of FRPs.
Vitrimers are an emerging class of polymeric materials based on covalent adaptable networks and have gained attention as an alternative to conventional thermoset resins. Through bond exchange reactions (BERs), vitrimers exhibit intrinsic self-healing capability, and prior studies have demonstrated their potential to suppress crack propagation within composite systems.
This study systematically investigates the influence of BERs on the structural integrity of vitrimer-based composites under thermal shock loading, with particular focus on the effect of catalyst concentration as a key design variable. Vitrimer resins were synthesized via epoxy-anhydride chemistry using zinc acetylacetonate as the catalyst, with catalyst concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mol%. Thermal characterization of the neat resin was conducted to define the appropriate thermal shock test range, after which the fabricated composites were subjected to cyclic thermal shock testing. Internal damage evolution was characterized using micro-computed tomography, and mechanical performance was evaluated through short beam shear testing. The results provide quantitative insights into the relationship between catalyst concentration, BER activity, and the resulting evolution of damage and interlaminar integrity under repeated thermal shock loading, for use in extreme environments.
Vitrimers are an emerging class of polymeric materials based on covalent adaptable networks and have gained attention as an alternative to conventional thermoset resins. Through bond exchange reactions (BERs), vitrimers exhibit intrinsic self-healing capability, and prior studies have demonstrated their potential to suppress crack propagation within composite systems.
This study systematically investigates the influence of BERs on the structural integrity of vitrimer-based composites under thermal shock loading, with particular focus on the effect of catalyst concentration as a key design variable. Vitrimer resins were synthesized via epoxy-anhydride chemistry using zinc acetylacetonate as the catalyst, with catalyst concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mol%. Thermal characterization of the neat resin was conducted to define the appropriate thermal shock test range, after which the fabricated composites were subjected to cyclic thermal shock testing. Internal damage evolution was characterized using micro-computed tomography, and mechanical performance was evaluated through short beam shear testing. The results provide quantitative insights into the relationship between catalyst concentration, BER activity, and the resulting evolution of damage and interlaminar integrity under repeated thermal shock loading, for use in extreme environments.
