Activation of Self-healing Processes in Ionomeric Elastomers by Local Heating

Applicant Professorin Dr. Annette M. Schmidt
Subject Area Materials Engineering
Term from 2011 to 2015
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 202632289
 

Project Description

An elegant way to restore the materials structural integrity proceeds by the selective heating of damaged areas to support polymeric chain movement, diffusion and particularly the new or re-formation of non-covalent chemical bonds. Especially reversible ionic interactions in ionomers along with clustering and the formation of multiplets are favoured. The incorporation of dipolar particles like metal/magnetic nanoparticles or charged species (“nano-hotspots”) into the polymeric matrix leads in combination with a selective treatment in an oscillating electromagnetic field (OEMF) to a transformation of electromagnetic energy to heat. Goal of the present proposal will be the development and testing of elastomeric polymers modified with “nano-hotspots” that can selectively be heated by OEMF treatment. Additionally, the development of a reproducible method to quantify the OEMF-induced self-healing effectiveness of microsized damages will be a major objective of the planned work.
DFG Programme Priority Programmes
Subproject of SPP 1568:  Design and Generic Principles of Self-Healing Materials