Construction of synergistic Toughening, Self-Healing Puncture-Resistant soft composites by using Fabric-Reinforced Pluronic/PMEA hydrogel

Recycling of puncture-resistant soft composites is challenging. In this paper, we report a new strategy of designing puncture-resistant composites with self-healing and synergistic toughening efficacy for secondary utilization after puncture damage. Puncture-resistant soft composites are prepared with Pluronic/PMEA hydrogel and aramid fabrics. The composites exhibit extremely high toughness and puncture resistance that are superior to those of their neat components. This result proves that the tough hydrogel and aramid fabrics have a synergistic effect, which provides the composites with a maximal spike-resistant peak force of 155 N and a maximal knife- resistant peak force of 182 N. The peak force of the composites is about 12 times that of neat fabric. In addition, the Pluronic/PMEA hydrogel matrix attains 85% self-healing efficiency at 100℃ in 3 h. The proposed soft composites with effective puncture- resistant performance can serve as an important guidance for future design of recyclable puncture-resistant composites after damage.