Bio-based self-healing coatings based on thermo-reversible Diels-Alder reaction

The ability to reversibly crosslink these materials can be used to improve the sustainability of the coatings by elongation of the lifetime through enhancement of mechanical properties (glass transition temperature, hardness and susceptibility towards abrasive wear as well as solvent resistance have been quantified). The thermo-reversibility of the network makes this kind of crosslinked coatings mendable after a damaging event during the coating life-time and ultimately recyclable. Heat induced decrosslinking of the coating materials through the retro-Diels Alder reaction has been analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry and self-healing has been demonstrated.