♻️ Materials Science · Covalent Adaptable Networks

Diels-Alder CAN Network Designer

Model furan-maleimide Diels-Alder covalent adaptable networks for reprocessable thermosets, recyclable composites, and shape-morphing structures. Tune crosslink density, monomer MW, and regiochemistry to predict retro-DA temperature, gel point, reprocessing window, and mechanical properties.

Based on DART (Diels-Alder Reprocessable Thermoset) research · Voit et al. · Epoxy-furan-maleimide network architecture · van't Hoff thermomechanical analysis

Network Architecture

Furan Substitution

Backbone Chemistry

Furan:Maleimide Ratio 1.0

Crosslink Parameters

Crosslink Density (mol/m³) 800

Monomer MW (g/mol) 380

Crosslinker Chain Length (bonds) 6

Conversion (%) 85

Thermomechanical Conditions

Operating Temperature (°C) 25

Reprocessing Time Target (min) 30

Reprocessing Cycles 5

Application Target

Target Use

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T_rDA (°C)

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Gel Point (°C)

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Process Window (°C)

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E at 25°C (MPa)

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E at T_repr (MPa)

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E Retention / Cycle

Diels-Alder Reaction Equilibrium

Furan + Maleimide ⇌ DA Adduct

K_DA = k_f / k_r = exp(−ΔG/RT) = exp(ΔS/R − ΔH/RT)

Forward (DA) is enthalpically driven (ΔH ≈ −40 to −60 kJ/mol). Retro-DA is entropically favored at elevated temperature. T_rDA = ΔH / (ΔS + R·ln(K_eq))

Equilibrium Conversion vs. Temperature

Storage Modulus vs. Temperature (DMA)

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