Self-Healing in Nanoparticle-Reinforced Polymers and other Polymer Systems

This chapter aims at combining new insights in the field of (liquid encapsulated) self healing polymer systems as well as nanoparticle reinforced polymers to set the direction for the development of nanoparticle reinforced self healing polymers. In the case of self healing polymers the strategy is to minimise the volume fraction encapsulated healing agent for a desired healing performance. In the case of nanoparticle reinforced polymers the challenge is to maximise the mechanical property improvement for a certain fraction of anoparticles. For both systems the property to be optimised, i.e. the healing potential or the strengthening effect, is mathematically shown to depend on the aspect ratio of the added ingredient as well as its volume fraction. The chapter ends with a first exploration of the use of nanoparticle reinforcement to get attractive repetitive self healing behaviour in a polymer system still meeting minimal mechanical properties