Rheological and mechanical properties of dynamic covalent polymers based on imine bond

Abstract Dynamic covalent polymers based on imine bond (FPIs), which are capable of reorganizing their constitution on the molecular level, are prepared from bio‐based dimer fatty acids. The irregular structure of carbon chains in dimer fatty acids leads to the amorphous nature of FPIs. The effect of imine bond on the glass transition temperature of FPIs is studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The linear viscoelasticity of FPIs is investigated by small amplitude oscillatory shear tests and analyzed by using the Likhtman‐McLeish theory. It is found that the rheological behavior of FPIs is similar with that of static, linear entangled polymers predicted by Likhtman‐McLeish theory, when the dynamic chain arrangements caused by imine‐bond exchange is not active enough. For FPIs, the temperature variation of viscosity is still following the Arrhenius law with an activation energy of ~50 kJ mol −1 . Owing to the thermal adaptability, FPIs demonstrate great malleability, self‐healing capability and processing stability at elevated temperatures.