A Review of Self-Healing Mechanism as the Modern Paradigm in Structural Materials

Abstract

In recent years, extensive research efforts have been dedicated to exploring materials with self-healing properties, both autonomously and non-autonomously. The ability of materials to autonomously repair damage offers significant advantages such as increased service life, enhanced product safety, and reduced replacement costs. This paper focuses on autonomous self-healing mechanisms achieved through the encapsulation of healing agents within polymer shells. Through an extensive review of the literature, this study presents findings on the incorporation of self-healing capsules into polymers, examining both mono and dual microcapsules. The paper also discusses the implementation of unidirectional and multidirectional vascular networks, which facilitate the distribution of healing agents throughout the material matrix. The results reported in this paper contribute to the advancement of self-healing fiber-polymer composites, with potential applications in diverse industries such as building and construction, packaging, military, and aerospace. The incorporation of self-healing mechanisms in these sectors has the potential to revolutionize material performance, leading to longer-lasting and more durable products. By harnessing the capabilities of autonomous self-healing mechanisms, materials can exhibit remarkable resilience and prolonged functionality, even in challenging environments. This paper not only highlights the promising outcomes achieved through the use of polymer-encapsulated healing agents but also provides valuable insights into the ongoing research efforts aimed at perfecting self-healing systems.