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Self-healing materials can repair structural damage without human intervention, inspired by biological processes. Microencapsulated systems, microvascular systems, and mechanochemically active polymers are used to create them. They have practical applications in spacecraft, airplanes, and synthetic rubber-like products.
Self-healing materials are substances that can automatically repair structural cracks or other damage, an ability that can significantly extend the useful life of a product and, in some cases, help protect people from harm. Many self-healing products have been inspired by biological processes that allow living bodies to heal. By observing natural healing activity at a microscopic level, scientists have developed several methods to replicate this beneficial ability in man-made substances. There are different types of self-healing products and different approaches can be used to create these materials. Regardless of the structure, self-healing objects are all designed to function without requiring human intervention.
One type of self-healing product is known as a microencapsulated system. These self-healing materials are specifically designed to repair tiny cracks that occur in polymers. This damage, sometimes called “microcracking,” can be caused by mechanical wear or thermal stress. Microencapsulated materials contain a chemical agent formulated to rebuild and strengthen the polymer structure. A layer of epoxy contains these reinforcing chemicals inside tiny pockets, and the agent begins to spread as structural damage causes the tiny capsules to crack.
Microvascular systems are another variety of self-healing materials. Like microencapsulated solutions, this type of material uses a healing agent that is kept contained until needed. Instead of being spread evenly across an area inside tiny capsules, however, the helpful chemicals are placed in artificial “veins” or channels that honeycomb the material. This vein-like structure allows chemicals to be continuously pumped into a cracked area, which helps prevent ongoing damage.
A third method that can be used to create self-healing materials uses mechanochemically active polymers. This approach is similar to how human bones begin to repair themselves after they break. With this method, polymers are created that contain groups of molecules called “mechanophores”. These clusters are naturally inclined to connect with other similar molecules. When a polymer is subjected to stress, the embedded mechanophores form a structural connection, just like two pieces of Velcro® fasteners are forced together.
Self-healing materials have many practical applications. Scientists have experimented with spacecraft surfaces that automatically seal dangerous cracks caused by meteoroid impacts or space debris. Airplanes can also benefit from these substances and can benefit from crack resistance on control surfaces. These types of materials can also be used in synthetic rubber-like products to prevent wear and improve tread life.
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