Authors
Abstract
To deliver epoxy composites with enhanced self-healing ability, this study investigates healing efficiency of dual component epoxy system consisting of microcapsules containing epoxy (DGEBA) and different variants of hardener (TETA) microcapsules. Morphological investigation under FESEM confirms formation of spherical shaped intact TETA microcapsules at high agitation speed with average size of the ~65.32 µm and reduced wall thickness of ~1.823 µm. Reaction temperature is found to play significant role to tune the roughness of the microcapsule surfaces. The single edge notched bending (SENB) test was performed to evaluate the healing ability. It was found that with incorporation of microcapsules, the fracture toughness decreases but the healing efficiency increases with increase in content of microcapsules. The maximum healing efficiency observed was 65.61%. High concentration of TETA microcapsule (prepared at high agitation speed) in epoxy network gives the essence for their applicability as a potential ingredient to elevate the healing efficiency. To enhance the healing ability further of the composites as well as fibre reinforced composites with unaltered mechanical properties we believe synthesis nanocapsules and their incorporation could have significant impact.
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