SELF HEALING COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

A self-healing material comprises a matrix embedded with micro-pockets of a healing-agent releasable by a crack in the matrix. The healing-agent is able to bond to the matrix to repair the crack. The healing-agent is contained in microcapsules. A corresponding catalyst for the healing-agent is embedded in the matrix and contained in a plurality of microcapsules as an emulsion. The emulsion comprises an oil, a perfluorated solvent, a hydrophobic ionic liqui d, or mixtures thereof. A method of manufacturing the self-healing material comprises the steps of identifying an operational temperature range of the material, providing at least one substance as the healing-agent, which substance remaining substantially in a liquid state within the operational temperature range, identifying an operational evaporation rate of the healing-agent and providi ng the substance with a curing time according to the evaporation rate.