Wax particles for protection of activators, and multifunctional autonomically healing composite materials
View Patent ↗A composite material comprises (i) a polymer, (ii) a polymerizer, (iii) a protected corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and (iv) a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules, and the corresponding activator is protected with a corresponding encapsulant for the polymer and the polymerizer.
1. A composite material, comprising:
(i) a polymer,
(ii) a polymerizer,
(iii) microparticles of a protected activator for the polymerizer, and
(iv) a plurality of capsules;
wherein the polymerizer is in the capsules and comprises DCPD,
the polymer comprises epoxy,
the protected activator for the polymerizer comprises a ROMP catalyst protected by a paraffin wax that is soluble in the polymerizer,
the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5, and an average diameter of 30-300 μm, and
the capsules comprise a polymer of urea and formaldehyde.
2. A method for making the composite of claim 1 , comprising:
dispersing the capsules and the microparticles of the protected activator into the polymer.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising forming the microparticles, where the forming comprises
adding a molten mixture, comprising the wax and the activator, to an aqueous solution to form a suspension,
the aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, and
cooling the suspension to solidify the wax mixture into the microparticles of the protected activator.