4588

Autonomously self-healing and self-strengthening polymer-metal composites developed at Iowa State University have the potential to impact many material markets.

Despite self-healing technology being available since 2001, there are limited commercial examples of self-healing materials. ISURF 04588 demonstrates the the application of undercooled particles in producing mechanically responsive and reconfigurable composites. The composite exploits the metastable nature of the particles, whereby the undercooled liquid metal trapped within the particles undergoes solidification when the oxide shell is broken or significantly deformed. Thus, the composite is capable of self-healing due to passivation of cracks by the metastable liquid and simultaneously self-strengthening, since the solidified metal will typically be stronger than its matrix.

This is an untapped market with potential in any applications where a more durable or longer lasting material may be desirable.

• No catalyst required

• Material is stronger than the “unrepaired” analogue

• Repaired area can be easily detected

• Applicable to a number of matrices