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Metal Triflates as Catalytic Curing Agents in Self‐Healing Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials
Author(s) -
Coope Tim S.,
Wass Duncan F.,
Trask Richard S.,
Bond Ian P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201300026
Subject(s) - materials science , epoxy , composite material , self healing , composite number , curing (chemistry) , polymer , adhesive , trifluoromethanesulfonate , polymerization , compatibility (geochemistry) , catalysis , medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , layer (electronics)
A self‐healing, high performance, fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material is demonstrated by employing a Lewis acid‐catalysed epoxy self‐healing agent (SHA) within a laminate manufactured using existing industrial methods. Thermal cure analysis and mechanical testing is employed to characterise the self‐healed polymer. A bio‐inspired series of vascules incorporated into an FRP composite material facilitates the delivery of SHAs to exposed fractured crack planes. Healing is effected by ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) of an epoxy resin using novel metal triflate catalysts injected after Mode I crack opening displacement. Strong adhesive compatibility with the host matrix confers full recovery of mechanical properties (>99% healing).