Abstract
Inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response, structural polymeric materials have been developed that possess the ability to self-heal. First generation self-healing composites incorporate healing agent filled microcapsules and catalyst particles in an epoxy matrix. Although high healing efficiencies have been achieved using this concept, only a limited supply of healing agent is available. If the same crack were to open again, in general a second healing would not be possible. In this paper, we report on a second generation of self-healing composites that utilize an interconnected microvascular network to flow healing agent throughout the matrix. This concept is applied to heal a coating on a substrate containing a microchannel network. A new protocol is developed for coated networks, which entails testing virgin samples in four-point bending until cracks initiate in the coating. The onset of cracking leads to a distinct load drop and corresponding decrease in the bending stiffness. The sample is then allowed to heal (healing agent from the channels permeates the cracks and interacts with a catalyst suspended in the coating) and is retested. The results from this microvascular system are compared with appropriate controls as well as healing efficiencies of a microcapsule coating system.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 2005 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics |
Pages | 241-244 |
Number of pages | 4 |
State | Published - 2005 |
Event | 2005 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics - Portland, OR, United States Duration: Jun 7 2005 → Jun 9 2005 |
Other
Other | 2005 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Portland, OR |
Period | 6/7/05 → 6/9/05 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)