Manufacturing of vitrimer matrix composite substrates for cold-spray coatings

The application of fiber-reinforced polymers in the aerospace sector is limited by their poor surface properties. However, the high specific strength and custom anisotropy push the research towards the widening of their applicability by new combinations of materials and surface coatings. This work aims at the realization of cold-spray coated composites healable, resilient, and resistant to the LEO-space environment. Vitrimer matrix was formulated to realize composites functionalized for cold-spray deposition. Vitrimers are an emerging class of epoxy-based polymers characterized by the properties of thermosets and the capability of being softened, reshaped, and remelted at high temperatures. These characteristics make the composites in high-modulus fiberreinforced vitrimers suitable for receiving cold-spray deposition. The activities of this work investigate the formulation of vitrimers, their adoption in heat-assisted vacuum infusion, and the cold-spray coating of such substrates.