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Two new single-component, highly cross-linked polymeric materials have been developed that are capable of undergoing repeated cycles of mending. On the basis of the thermally reversible Diels−Alder (r-DA) cycloaddition reaction, these materials are comprised of a dicyclopentadiene core which acts as both diene and dienophile in the r-DA reaction. Polymer specimens have been prepared from two monomeric units, monomers 400 and 401, and the thermal and mechanical properties of these materials have been studied via differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and three-point bending, compression, and fracture tests. After fracture, these hard, colorless, transparent materials are capable of thermal mending at 120 °C, effectively healing cracks formed in the specimen.
Murphy et al. (Wed,) studied this question.