Self-healing polymeric material synthesized by guiding magnetic microcapsules
A process of making magnetic microcapsules and a process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties includes the steps of mixing microcapsules containing magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid polymer before curing, and guiding the microcapsules in the liquid polymer before curing by magnetic forces to a desired location or locations. Finally, the liquid polymer with the microcapsules is cured to a solid polymeric material.
1. A process of making magnetic microcapsules, which process comprises:
coating magnetic particles with a hydrophobic material coating to form nanoparticles;
suspending said nanoparticles in a core material; and
encapsulating said core material and said nanoparticles in an outer wall to form magnetic microcapsules.
2. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic particles are micron or smaller size magnetic particles.
3. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic particles are fabricated from iron salt solution.
4. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic material coating is a surface-functionalized silica coating.
5. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic material coating is hydrophobic silane.
6. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer wall is formed by microencapsulation.
7. The process of making magnetic microcapsules as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nanoparticles are from between about 0.25 percent (0.25%) to 2 percent (2%) by weight of said microcapsules.
8. A process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties, said process comprising:
mixing microcapsules containing magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid polymer before curing;
guiding said microcapsules in said liquid polymer before curing; and
curing said liquid polymer to a solid polymeric material.
9. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties as set forth in claim 8 wherein said microcapsules in said liquid polymer are guided before curing by magnetic fields.
10. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties as set forth in claim 8 wherein said magnetic nanoparticles are from between about 0.25 percent (0.25%) to 2 percent (2%) by weight of said microcapsules.
11. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties as set forth in claim 8 wherein said magnetic nanoparticles are coated with a hydrophobic material coating.
12. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties as set forth in claim 8 including initially forming said microcapsules from said nanoparticles suspended in a core material and encapsulating in an outer wall.
13. The process of making polymeric material having self-healing properties as set forth in claim 8 wherein said step of guiding said microcapsules in said liquid polymer achieves multiple times concentration of microcapsules at a guided location versus uniform distribution of said microcapsules.
14. A process to self-heal material fractures, which process comprises:
guiding magnetic microcapsules in a liquid polymer;
curing said liquid polymer to a solid polymeric material; and
releasing a healing agent from said microcapsules upon fracture of said polymeric material.
15. The process to self-heal material fractures as set forth in claim 14 wherein said magnetic microcapsules in said liquid polymer are guided before curing by magnetic fields.
16. The process to self-heal material fractures as set forth in claim 14 including initially forming said magnetic microcapsules from magnetic nanoparticles suspended in a core material and encapsulating in an outer wall.
17. The process to self-heal material fractures as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of guiding magnetic microcapsules in said liquid polymer achieves multiple times concentration of microcapsules at a guided location versus uniform distribution of said microcapsules.