Abstract

In this study, thin-shell surface observation, storage capability test, and micro-compressive test were performed for self-healing microcapsules using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and a micro-compressive testing machine. A microcapsule having a melamine-urea-formaldehyde thin-shell and a microcapsule having a melamine-urea-formaldehyde thin-shell reinforced with carbon nanotubes were used. Two carbon nanotube contents were considered: 0.17 wt% and 0.50 wt%. Thin-wall shell state was relatively smooth when microcapsules were not reinforced with carbon nanotubes. It was uneven when microcapsules were reinforced with carbon nanotubes. Prepared microcapsules showed little decreases of weights even when the exposure time was increased regardless of whether they were reinforced with carbon nanotubes. Thus, their storage capability was good. When carbon nanotube content was the same, the fracture load was almost constant without being affected by the diameter of the microcapsule. However, fracture displacement increased with increasing diameter of the microcapsule. When diameters of microcapsules were similar, fracture load and fracture displacement increased when carbon nanotube content increased. It was found that self-healing microcapsules had good storage capability and mechanical properties. Thus, they could be applied to repair damage to composite materials if thin-shell formation mechanism for adding carbon nanotubes is supplemented.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call