Thermo‐adjusted self‐healing epoxy resins based on Diels–Alder dynamic chemical reaction

Abstract Micro‐damage in materials could be repaired by endowing materials with self‐healing performance. Herein, an epoxy resin with excellent self‐healing performance grounded on thermo‐reversible Diels–Alder dynamic chemical reaction was developed. Results showed that the bending strength and adhesive behavior of epoxy resin were influenced dramatically upon treatment with various temperatures. More importantly, damages created in epoxy resin could be repaired completely after suitable heat treatments. What is more, the healed epoxy resin exhibited much higher bending strength and adhesive performance than the pristine one did. The materials could be damaged and then repaired repeatedly. Meanwhile, the as‐prepared self‐healing epoxy resin exhibited excellent thermal reversibility and controllable adhesion. The thermo‐adjusted self‐healing performance endowed epoxy resin with recyclable and reusable performance. Therefore, the research made it possible of recycling waste epoxy resins.