Thermally Remendable Polyurethane Network Cross-Linked via Reversible Diels-Alder Reaction

We prepared a series of thermally remendable and recyclable polyurethanes crosslinked via reversible furan-maleimide Diels-Alder reaction based on TDI end-caped branched Voranol 3138 terminated with difurfurylamine and 4,4'-bis(maleimido)diphenylmethane (BMI). We showed that Young modulus strongly depends on BMI content (from 8 to 250 MPa) that allows us to obtain materials of different elasticity as simple as varying BMI content. The ability of DA and retro-DA reactions between furan and maleimide to reversibly bind material components was investigated by NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and recycle testing. All polymers obtained demonstrated high strengths and could be recovering without significant loss in mechanical properties for at least five reprocessing cycles.