Concept of self-healing in polymeric materials

Polymer composites are prone to failure as a result of cracks formed during their lifetime. The growth of these cracks may possibly result to tragic failure. Microcracks in structural materials are to be uncovered to ensure that the polymer structures are reliable in terms of performance, cost-effectiveness and safety. Detection of cracks in structural materials are often difficult and the processes of repair are too complicated. Based on the foregoing, the concept of self-healing technology has been developed to find a possible solution to these issues. The self-healing materials have the capability to heal themselves after ruptures have been experienced. From the biological point of view, self-healing polymeric materials with autonomic healing response triggered by rupture have been introduced. This paper aims to discuss the classes of materials, self-healing polymeric materials and self-healing properties and characteristics of the microcapsules.