A self-healing polymeric material includes a polymeric matrix material, a plurality of monomer mixture microcapsules dispersed in the polymeric matrix material, and a plurality of heat generating microcapsules dispersed in the polymeric matrix material. Each monomer mixture microcapsule of the plurality of monomer mixture microcapsules encapsulates a mixture of materials that includes a monomer and a heat-triggered initiator. Each heat generating microcapsule of the plurality of heat generating microcapsules encapsulates multiple reactants that undergo an exothermic chemical reaction. The exothermic chemical reaction generates sufficient heat to cause the heat-triggered initiator to initiate a polymerization reaction.

A sheetlike semifinished product comprising a matrix having at least one latent reactive plastics composition which is curable to afford an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, and fibers embedded in the matrix. A process for producing sheetlike semifinished products is further disclosed.

A method for preparing a vulcanizable composition of matter, the method comprising mixing, within a first mixing step, rubber, silica, and silica coupling agent to form a first masterbatch composition, adding nicotinamide to the first masterbatch composition and mixing within a second mixing step to form a second masterbatch composition, and adding a curative to the second masterbatch composition and mixing within a final mixing step.

A self-healing polymeric composition includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of functional microcapsules dispersed in the polymer matrix. The functional microcapsules include a core of a flowable material that can form film via coalescence, physical crosslinking and/or polymerization on contact with the substrate, and a polymer shell encapsulating the core. The functionality on the polymer shell is effective in complexing with the corrosion by-products, releasing the core material to repair the failure.

Systems and methods are provided for fabrication of enhanced carbon fiber laminates that utilize encapsulated catalyst. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a batch of dry fibers, and acquiring a batch of catalyst capsules that each comprise catalyst that accelerates polymerization of monomers of a resin, and a shell that encapsulates the catalyst and liquefies at a curing temperature. The method further includes interspersing the catalyst capsules among the dry fibers, and impregnating the fibers with the resin after interspersing the catalyst capsules with the fibers.

Systems and methods are provided for fabrication of enhanced carbon fiber laminates that utilize encapsulated catalyst. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a batch of dry fibers, and acquiring a batch of catalyst capsules that each comprise catalyst that accelerates polymerization of monomers of a resin, and a shell that encapsulates the catalyst and liquefies at a curing temperature. The method further includes interspersing the catalyst capsules among the dry fibers, and impregnating the fibers with the resin after interspersing the catalyst capsules with the fibers.

A composition includes a thermosetting resin and a plurality of polymer nanoparticles at least partially dissolved in the resin. The resin has a gradient of mechanical properties around each location of the at least partially dissolved polymer nanoparticles. Each gradient extends from a particle center toward the resin surrounding the polymer nanoparticle.

A new polyurethane (PU) adhesive composition with encapsulated hardeners having unique properties in automotive related applications.

The present invention provides a method with which curing can be carried out in a short time without a heat load on an adherend and a cured product having stable quality can be obtained. The resin composition curing method in accordance with the present invention includes the step (a) of directly and/or indirectly irradiating, with laser light, a resin composition (A) which contains (i) an epoxy resin, (ii) an encapsulated curing agent including a core that contains a curing agent and a shell that covers the core, (iii) a filler, and (iv) a color material.

The present invention relates to the formation of gels. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a cross-linked polymer hydrogel using competitive ligand exchange.