{
  "abstract": "Epoxy-amine thermosets can be converted into covalent adaptable networks (CANs) by adding β-aminoester-based curing agents to the formulation. This is achieved by utilizing commercially available di- or trifunctional acrylate monomers, which react with the amine component via an aza-Michael addition. Consequently, this approach is inherently scalable and holds high industrial relevance. In this study, the fundamental applicability of two commodity chemicals—namely 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)—for this purpose is investigated, aiming to provide an additional handle to mitigate the rapid viscosity increase of the formulations. Using a model epoxy resin consisting of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane (BAC), it was demonstrated that a Lewis-base catalyst (1-methylimidazole) is necessary to incorporate the hydroxy groups of HEA and HEMA into the network. Contrary to expectations, this incorporation proceeds predominantly through a condensation reaction that liberates ethylene glycol. Finally, a formulation consisting of 1 equiv. DGEBA, 0.5 equiv. BAC, 1 equiv. HEA, and 0.025 equiv. 1-methylimidazole was found to offer a good compromise, providing both satisfactory reprocessability and a sufficiently high glass transition temperature (74 °C). Compared to a reference formulation made with a trifunctional acrylate monomer, the CAN made with HEA is characterized by a lower glass transition temperature, a similar flow activation energy, a lower storage modulus, and distinctly longer relaxation times. Both acrylate-based CAN materials aged under thermal stress, which resulted in higher storage moduli and glass transition temperatures upon reprocessing. A protocol for characterizing such modulus changes under thermal stress is suggested, consisting of performing repeated frequency sweeps for at least 1 h at temperatures slightly exceeding the maximum temperature of the stress relaxation measurements.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Johanna Lang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Christian Slugovc",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1873-5200"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111hb2b8g1rbp.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010229/v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "111hb2b8g1rbp",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010229/v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2210|Epoxy Resin Curing Processes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221507270",
  "pdf_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010229/v1",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-11",
  "publisher": "American Chemical Society (ACS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111hb2b8g1rbp.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010229",
      "source": "chemrxiv",
      "url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010229/v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "source:chemrxiv",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "CAN it work? Using hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate to turn epoxy-amine thermosets into covalent adaptable network materials.",
  "title_text": "CAN it work? Using hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate to turn epoxy-amine thermosets into covalent adaptable network materials.",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111hb2b8g1rbp",
  "venue": "ChemRxiv",
  "versions": []
}