Thermosetlike
Thermosetlike is a term used to describe polymeric materials that, in their crosslinked network, resemble conventional thermosets in terms of insolubility, dimensional stability, and high thermal resistance, but which can be reprocessed or recycled under certain conditions. The label is often applied to covalent adaptable networks and vitrimers, where the network includes dynamic covalent bonds that undergo bond-exchange reactions. Through these exchanges, the network can flow or rearrange at elevated temperatures without losing crosslink density, enabling reshaping, repair, or recycling while preserving much of the original chemical identity.
In practice, thermosetlike materials rely on dynamic chemistries such as transesterification, transamination, imine exchange, boronic ester
Design strategies emphasize balancing crosslink density, dynamic bond concentration, and processing conditions. Testing focuses on solubility,
Applications include recyclable coatings and adhesives, thermosetlike resins for composites, and electronic encapsulants where reuse or
See also: vitrimers, covalent adaptable networks, thermosets, thermoplastics.