Vitrimer Materials: A Review of Self-Healing Properties

Thermosets have played crucial roles in different industries, demonstrating versatility in packaging, furniture, electronics, and construction. Nevertheless, due to their permanent chemical bonds, these materials cannot be thermally processed after their shape has been formed. This results in notable environmental consequences as they accumulate in landfills during the product’s end-of-life cycle. Since the introduction of vitrimer, it has become a promising alternative that combines the mechanical strength of thermosets with distinctive characteristics including reprocessability, shape memory, recyclability, and self-healing ability. This review provides a thorough overview of the most recent developments in the vitrimer field, with a particular focus on advancements in self-healing properties and the corresponding techniques. Furthermore, it identifies the potential applications of vitrimer in different industries.