THERMOMECHANICALLY REPROCESSABLE EPOXY COMPOSITES AND PROCESSES FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING

摘要

The composite comprises (i) a reinforcement phase comprising fibres, this phase being in a volume percentage comprised from 25 to 70% with respect to the total volume of the composite, and (ii) a matrix phase which is in a volume percentage comprised from 30 to 75% with respect to the total volume of the composite, being the sum of volumes of both phases forming the composite 100%, and wherein the matrixphase comprises a cured epoxy resin in a percentage comprised from 50-100% by weight with respect to the total weight of the matrix phase, and the cured epoxy resin being obtainable by: (a) mixing an epoxide-functionalised resin with a functionality equal to or higher than 2 with a cross-linking agent of formula (I), and (b) curing the reaction mixture at a temperature comprised from 10 to 200 ºC, this step being performed in the absence of a catalyst. The composite is reprocessable, reparable and recyclableand shows mechanochromic behaviour, being useful in the manufacture of an article.