Mechanochromic and thermally reprocessable thermosets for autonomic damage reporting and self-healing coatings

Abstract Autonomous polymers that report damage prior to loss of function and simultaneously self-heal are highly relevant for preventing catastrophic failures extending the lifetimes materials. Here, we demonstrate mechanochromic thermally reprocessable thermosets can be used autonomic reporting self-healing coatings. A molecule, spiropyran (SP), is covalently incorporated into thermoreversible Diels–Alder (DA) cross-linking networks. Mechanical activation SPs in DA networks confirmed by computational simulations mechanical testing. The damaged areas change colour, emit fluorescence signals, completely recover after heat treatment. Because covalent networks, these recycled up fifteen times without degrading their mechanical, damage-reporting, or properties. Our material systems provide a new way enhance lifespans reliabilities thermosetting coatings, which also expands range practical applications force-induced chemical reactions polymers.