Biorenewable Polymers Heal Cracks in Composites

摘要

An associate professor with Iowa State University (Ames,Iowa),who is also an associate of the U.S.Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory,is developing biorenewable polymers capable of healing themselves as they degrade and crack.The technology has evolved into a system that embeds catalysts and microcapsules,which contain a liquid healing agent,within a composite.As cracks develop in the composite,they rupture the microcapsules.The healing agent is released,contacts the catalyst,and reacts by forming three-dimensional polymer chains that fill the cracks.The results of this research could provide biorenewable alternatives to petroleum-based resins.