Nanocapsules for self-healing composites

B. J. Blaiszik, S. R. White, N. R. Sottos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Self-healing polymers and composites that incorporate microencapsulated healing agents have demonstrated high levels of healing efficiency in both static and dynamic loading conditions. Microcapsules that contain the healing agent must possess adequate strength, long shelf-life, and excellent bonding to the host material. In previous work we have shown that urea-formaldehyde capules containing dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) prepared by in situ polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion meet these requirements for self-healing epoxy. However, for standard emulsion encapsulation procedures, a lower limit of size scale is reached ca. 10 μm. Preparation of smaller diameter capsules requires alternative approaches to phase segregation during the encapsulation process. Here we demonstrate an order of magnitude reduction in size scale by a combination of ultrasonication and emulsion polymerization encapsulation techniques. Capsule integrity is demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2006 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2006
Pages391-396
Number of pages6
StatePublished - Oct 31 2006
EventSEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2006 - Saint Louis, MO, United States
Duration: Jun 4 2006Jun 7 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2006 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2006
Volume1

Other

OtherSEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySaint Louis, MO
Period6/4/066/7/06

Keywords

  • Emulsion polymerization
  • Nanocapsules
  • Self-healing
  • Sonication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)

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