Self-healing Polymers and Composites » American Scientist

Nothing lasts forever. Any humanmade material, used in anything from toys to bridges, will eventually fail, if not maintained and repaired. Traditionally, this problem has been addressed through extensive inspection and expensive replacement of damaged parts. Biological systems, however, have evolved to include alternative ways to repair internal and external damage via healing mechanisms. Materials researchers worldwide, including those in our group, have been working on methods to mimic these healing abilities in polymers, composites and other synthetic materials. Such self-healing materials, when triggered by a crack or tear, can repair themselves and recover their original functionality using only the materials that are inherently available to them. They offer a new means to achieve safer and longer-lasting products and components, and signal a shift in the traditional paradigms of material design and engineering.