Environmental Sustainability of vitrimer-based composite materials

Vitrimers are a novel class of polymers known for their dynamic and recyclable properties. They are gaining significant attention as potential alternatives to traditional thermosets in composite manufacturing due to their repairability and reprocessability. This study explores the environmental sustainability of vitrimers in composite materials through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The research focuses on vitrimer composite parts production and their recycling process, with a "from cradle to grave approach". Given the scientific and industrial interest, vitrimer containing disulfide bonds obtained reacting bisphenol A and 4-aminophenyl disulfide (4-AFD or APD) was considered as matrix for the investigated composite part; a traditional epoxy resin matrix composite reinforced with carbon fibers was selected as reference scenario. The recycling process of vitrimer based composites was evaluated, comparing it with conventional thermoset composite recycling method (mechanical recycling). The effects on the environment of these alternatives were evaluated considering different impact categories to provide a comprehensive view of the scenarios. The findings of this study demonstrate that vitrimers can represent a sustainable alternative to traditional thermoset, especially thanks to the possibility of extending the life cycle of a component and recovering continuous filaments from the parts. By shedding light on the potential benefits of vitrimers in reducing the ecological footprint of composite materials, this study contributes valuable insights to sustainable materials development