SELFHEALPOL · Design and synthesis of self-healing polymer systems
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-01-01 → 2007-12-31
- EU contribution
- €168,798
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - SELFHEALPOL (Design and synthesis of self-healing polymer systems)
The aim of this research was to develop self-healing polymer systems that would be expected to mimic many of the features of a biological system. The proposed self-healing system is based on incorporating microencapsulated a novel healing agent (mixtures of mono- and di-functional monomers) and a catalyst within the epoxy resin matrix. The principle will be that when a crack is formed in the epoxy matrix, the embedded microcapsules will be expected to rupture releasing healing agent into the crack plane. Polymerisation of the healing agent will then be triggered by contact with the embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces and accomplishing a self-healing process. The project was implemented successfully according to the work plan. All the project objectives and milestones have been successfully achieved within the timescale. The most important scientific achievement made through this project are outlined below: - Novel healing agents based on a group of mono- and di-functional monomers, which can be rapidly polymerised in the presence of a catalyst, were prepared and fully characterised. - The healing agents were successful encapsulated and high quality microcapsules were prepared. - Epoxy resin plaques containing microcapsules and catalyst were successfully prepared. - Micro-cracks were initiated in the epoxy resin plaques and the self healing process was monitored by the mechanical testing. - The mechanical testing of the samples showed that excellent self-healing coefficient ranging from 17 to 44 %. This is the first example of good efficiency of healing auto-reparation of micro-cracks at room temperature with low concentration of catalysts. - The best example in the literature is claimed to exhibits a self-healing coefficient of maximum 25 % which is inferior to the system we have developed here during this project. - The project enabled us to establish a novel and superior self-healing system.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The aim of this research is to develop self-healing polymer systems that will be expected to mimic many of the features of a biological system. In nature, damage to an organism elicits a healing response. We are applying the same concept to synthetic material design, creating a self-healing polymer system.The self-healing system proposed here is based on incorporating microencapsulated mixtures of mono- and di-functional norbornene monomers (healing agent) and Grubbs ruthenium initiators (catalyst) within the epoxy resin (polymer matrix). When a crack is formed in the polymer matrix the embedded microcapsules are ruptured releasing healing agent into the crack plane.Polymerisation of the healing agent is then triggered by contact with the embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces and self-healing process is accomplished. Urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing healing agents will be prepared in situ polymerisation in an oil-in-water emulsion. The polymerisation reactions will be based on ring opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) process involving rapid polymerisation of mixtures of mono- and di-functional norbornene monomers in the presence of Grubbs ruthenium initiators at room temperature to form crosslinked and very tough polymers.The self-healing process will be studied by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR). The healing efficiency will be investigated using fracture toughness tests. The concept of self-healing process will have far-reaching consequences for improving product safety and reliability. One of the major applications of the self-healing process is anticipated to be in medicine.Once implanted in the body, prosthetics and other medical devices are difficult to monitor and access for re pair. The self-healing technology proposed here could prevent problems caused by damaged pacemakers, hip and knee replacements, dental materials, and other medical devices.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM · DURHAMCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union