Webinars
17 June 2026
PLEIADES: Development of new matrix systems - Current status of vitrimer development
Topics being covered in this webinar are below:
Presentation 1:
Powder Infusion Processing of Benzoxazine-Based Vitrimer Carbon Fibre Composites: Challenges, Process Optimisation, and Characterisation
Prithivi Boylla**Centre for Materials, FEAS, Cranfield University
Vitrimeric resins have emerged as a promising class of thermosetting matrices offering the recyclability and repairability of thermoplastics whilst retaining the mechanical performance characteristic of conventional thermosets. Polybenzoxazines, known for their near-zero shrinkage on cure, low moisture absorption, and high char yield, represent an attractive resin base for vitrimer formulation. In this system, reconfiguration of the polymer network is facilitated through disulphide bond exchange, wherein dynamic covalent disulphide metathesis enables stress relaxation and network rearrangement above the topology freezing temperature. This behaviour is found to be incompatible with the viscosity demands of conventional liquid composite moulding techniques such as resin transfer moulding (RTM).
This work presents the development and optimisation of a powder infusion manufacturing route for this benzoxazine-disulphide vitrimer reinforced with unidirectional (UD) carbon fibre fabrics. Resin powder is uniformly distributed across fabric plies and subsequently melted and consolidated under vacuum using a stepped cure profile, designed to decouple resin flow and polymerisation stages and ensure adequate fabric impregnation.
Initial powder infusion trials revealed critical process sensitivities, including premature resin egress due to insufficient flow containment, and inadequate sealing performance of conventional cork and tacky tape dams. Systematic process refinement while encompassing the adoption of PTFE-based containment, layup configuration optimisation, and cure profile modification yielded a robust and repeatable manufacturing procedure. Target fibre volume fractions were confirmed via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and degree of cure was quantified in accordance with ASTM D3418-21 using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical characterisation of the consolidated laminates is currently underway, with T-peel testing employed to evaluate interfacial adhesion strength between the vitrimer matrix and carbon fibre reinforcement.
The outcomes of this study demonstrate a viable powder infusion pathway for vitrimer composite manufacture, with broader implications for sustainable, end-of-life-recoverable structural composite production.
Note:
To be used as part of the EU-Horizons project (PLEIADES) webinar titled:
Development of new matrix systems – Current status of vitrimer development
Presentation 2
Benzoxazine-Based Vitrimers for Reprocessable Aerospace Composite Applications
Daniel Preston
Centre for Materials, FEAS, Cranfield University
The increasing demand for sustainable and repairable high-performance materials in aerospace applications is driving interest in dynamic polymer networks, particularly vitrimer systems. This session presents the development of novel benzoxazine-based vitrimer materials designed for use as matrices in fibre-reinforced composite structures. Benzoxazine resins are well known for their excellent thermal stability, low shrinkage, and inherent flame resistance, making them attractive candidates for aerospace applications. However, their conventional thermoset nature limits recyclability and repair.
In this work, dynamic covalent chemistry is introduced into benzoxazine networks to produce vitrimeric materials capable of bond exchange at elevated temperatures. The resulting materials retain the mechanical integrity and thermal performance required for structural applications while enabling reprocessing, reshaping, and self-healing. Key aspects of synthesis, network design, and processing behaviour are discussed, alongside the implications for composite matrix utility.
Attention is given to the relationship between molecular structure, exchange kinetics, and macroscopic properties, with experimental insights into thermal, mechanical, and healing performance. The potential for these materials to improve material lifecycle, reduce waste, and enable damage repair in aerospace composite systems is highlighted.
Presentation 3
Development of advanced multi-physics model for induction welding of thermoplastic and vitrimer carbon fibre composites
Dr. Israr Uddin
Brunel Composite Centre, Brunel University London
Thermoplastic-based composites offer favourable characteristics such as repair, self-healing and fastener-free joining processes by heating the thermoplastics above their melting temperature. Hence, they are attracting rising attention in advanced applications such as aerospace. Electromagnetic induction welding is one of the contactless, fast-welding techniques suitable for automation and is widely used for the thermoplastic-based carbon fibre reinforced composites. Finite element modelling (FEM) of the multiphysics electromagnetic induction welding can provide an optimum processing window, which ultimately reduces the experimental efforts and hence cost. This talk will cover the detailed development of advanced multiphysics model for PLEIADES.
Acknowledgment : PLEIADES has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101192721. More information about the project can be found at Pleiades
