SELF-HEALING IN CARBON NANOTUBE FILLED THERMOPLASTIC POLY(ETHYLENE-CO-METHACRYLIC ACID) IONOMER COMPOSITES

摘要

Carbon nanotube filled ionomer composites were produced using a melt blending process. FE-SEM analysis and the increased mechanical properties proved that adequate dispersion can be obtained by melt-mixing methods using a Brabender~® mixer under the described conditions. Mechanical tests also indicated an augmentation of some bulk properties of these materials as expected. Finally, projectile testing showed that the self-healing behavior can be retained in composite materials with an EMAA matrix. Further testing is necessary to verify the quality of the healed hole as well as the healing ability of materials with varying amounts of filler; however, the above results show substantial potential for the development of tailored self-healing ionomer composites having enhanced performance.