Thermoplastic <scp>self‐healing</scp> polymer blends for structural composites: Development of polyamide 6 and cyclic olefinic copolymer blends

One of the main limitations high-performance composite materials is failure due to fatigue crack propagation during service. Traditional repair methods can be expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, research in field self-healing composites has considerably increased past decade. At aim, work focused on production a polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix with properties. Cyclic olefinic copolymer (COC) was selected as healing agent it melt compounded PA6. From scanning electron microscope micrographs, possible highlight immiscibility lack interfacial adhesion between constituents. The efficiency system evaluated by comparing blends' fracture toughness (KIC), both quasi-static impact mode, before after process performed at 140°C applying pressure 0.5 MPa. Through addition 30 wt% COC, virgin samples slightly decreased, passing from 2.3 MPa·m1/2 neat PA6 2.1 MPa·m1/2. However, presence COC homogeneously distributed within led 11% mode 35% mode.