Self-healing of polymers and composites
Since the first report of the self-repairing composites systems in the literature [1], a conventional strategy was developed by embedding a microencapsulated liquid healing agent and solid catalytic chemical materials within a polymer matrix. Thus, when there is damage induced cracking in the matrix, the microcapsules release their encapsulated liquid healing agent into the crack planes. All the materials involved must be carefully engineered. For example, the encapsulation procedure must be chemically compatible with the reactive healing agent, and the liquid healing agent must not diffuse out of the capsule shell during its shelf-life. At the same time, the microcapsule walls must be resistant to the processing conditions of the host composite. At the same time excellent adhesion with the cured polymer matrix has to be maintained to ensure that the capsules rupture upon composite fracture.
Self-healing of polymers and composites, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/books/cs/pbcs070e/PBCS070E_ch4-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/books/cs/pbcs070e/PBCS070E_ch4-2.gif