Scientists report advances in self-healing polymers and coatings
According to the experts, coatings that contain small amounts of healing agent in the form of microcapsule, homogeneously dispersed in the coating medium, thus proving to possess the ability to self-heal when damaged.
The research further outlines that factors known to cause the most damage to polymers, such as humidity, mechanical compromise, exposure to high temperatures etc., are the same ones that initiate the self-healing phenomenon.
The development of self-healing materials is said to have the potential to significantly impact the coatings and related industries by enhancing coatings' performance and service life.
"It was confirmed that the simulated natural aging or mechanical damage triggered the release of healing agents, repaired the damage, restored the integrity of the coating and enhanced overall coating properties," says a lab spokesperson.
