Self-Healing Polymers
Alyssa R. February 8, 2022
Self healing polymers are a special class of materials that can heal internal damage and cracks. They can rebuild their original mechanical properties such as tensile strength. Self healing polymers self-heal similar to human skin. The polymers do this by transforming physical energy into a chemical response.
The problem was that cracks in the materials and parts used mostly for construction were causing catastrophic and expensive failure. Self healing polymers were invented in 2001 by Scott White, Nancy Sottos, and colleagues from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.The polymers were meant to halt crack propagation. They are capable of repairing damage to a variety of building materials. For that reason the scope of uses for these polymers has only increased.
Self healing polymers are usually made from an epoxy or polyester resin that is cured to form a densely cross-linked polymeric network. That network is made up of covalent bonds. The capillary action when a crack forms draws the monomer of the cured material into the crack. The crosslinking increases properties of strength and stiffness as well as giving it chemical resistance from solvents.
Material Properties
As of now there are glass, rubber, plastic, and metal self healing polymers. A self healing polymer is achieved by curing epoxy and polyester resin. When the materials are cured in a reaction, an adhesive-like substance is formed.
Works Cited
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