Ageing of Networks Synthetized by Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization – VRPOM

This study deals with lifecycle of polymers synthetized by Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization, like polydicyclopentadiene which is easily polymerized even under ambient conditions, and sold by a medium company being member of the scientific consortium for offshore purpose for example. Polydicyclopentadiene displays thus good intrinsic properties, fast polymerization (in almost 1 minute), low cost (because low monomer viscosity and no need to heat), which makes this polymer a promising solution for manufacturing composites matrix.

The first aim is to evaluate the chemical stability of those materials, describe and model their oxidative ageing (even under conditions where the polymers are in glassy state which strongly complicates the kinetic analysis) and establish structure-properties relationships allowing to link chemical changes to changes of mechanical properties so as to provide a non-empirical tool for lifetime prediction for engineers concerned with the use of polymers in extreme conditions.

Basing on the expertise of one the members of the consortium, the study aims at synthetizing new polymers by ROMP but holding specific groups such as (auto)stabilizing moiety directly grafted on the backbone so as to improve the long term behavior. The overall goal is thus to develop new materials offering the right tradeoff between high reactivity towards polymerization and sufficient oxidative stability.