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This work reports on the development of a novel polymer blend with thermally triggered shape memory and self-healing properties. Blends were prepared by mixing a self-healing ionomer (Surlyn 9520) and polycyclooctene (with and without crosslinking agent) in different ratios. The regions of thermal activation were determined by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and oscillatory shear rheology. Consecutively, the shape memory and self-healing behaviour were investigated by a torsion procedure and tensile testing respectively. It was found that ionomer/crosslinked polycyclooctene blends of 70/30 wt% lead to polymers showing partial macroscopic healing and repeatable shape memory characteristics. The new polymer system shows both dual and triple shape memory behaviour and a near to 100% stiffness recovery after healing of crosscuts at standard ionomer healing conditions. Furthermore, the relation between terminal relaxation and self-healing in blends is shown. This study introduces a triple shape memory polymer with self-healing properties by a blending strategy thereby clearing the path for more durable materials based on shape memory properties.
We report the development of an intrinsic healing glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite based on a disulphide-containing organic-inorganic thermoset matrix. Thermomechanical experiments showed that the newly developed matrix has a combination of a Young's modulus value in the range of (800–1200 MPa), the ability to multiple thermally induced healing delamination (70–85 °C), and processability by conventional vacuum infusion process that is not yet reported in literature. The composite mechanical properties and the extent of healing were determined by flexural, fracture and low-velocity impact testing. Small sized (<cm2) damage could be partially healed multiple times using a minimal healing pressure to ensure a good alignment of the damaged interfaces. The level of healing can be enhanced, even for large (>cm2) damage, by increasing the healing pressure provided the location of the primary damage is concentrated within the matrix phase. The polymer matrix composite introduced here represents a significant step forward from the often mechanically inferior intrinsically self-healing composites towards structural self-healing composites.
A comparative study is performed on the monitoring of delamination healing in CFRP-ionomer sandwich composites by non-destructive techniques and destructive compression testing. Artificial delaminations of various areal dimensions and nature were introduced during production of the composites. The extent of the delamination and the healing thereof was monitored in both air and water-coupled ultrasonic C-scan experiments as well as by the frequency shift of the local defect resonance (LDR). It is shown that the LDR approach can be used to detect the early stage healing of the delaminations while ultrasonic C-scanning techniques are very effective to determine the extent of healing in the final stages of the repair process. A quasi-linear relation was observed between the delaminated area measured with ultrasonic C-scan and the compressive failure strength in destructive testing. This correlation shows the beneficial effect on the compression strength of the delaminated area reduction by on-demand healing.
This article presents development of a novel self-healing technology for asphalt pavements, where asphalt binder rejuvenator is encapsulated within the compartmented alginate fibres. The key objective of the study was to optimise the compartmented alginate fibre design, i.e., maximising amount of rejuvenator encapsulated within the fibre. The results demonstrate that optimum rejuvenator content in the alginate fibre is of 70:30 rejuvenator/alginate ratio. The fibres are of sufficient thermal and mechanical strength to survive harsh asphalt mixing and compaction processes. Furthermore, results illustrate that zeer open asfalt beton (ZOAB) asphalt mix containing 5% of 70:30 rejuvenator/alginate ratio compartmented alginate fibres has higher strength, stiffness and better healing properties in comparison to the control asphalt mix, i.e., mix without fibres, and mix containing fibres with lower rejuvenator content. These results show that compartmented alginate fibres encapsulating bitumen rejuvenator present a promising new approach for the development of self-healing asphalt pavement systems.