Controlled light cross-linking technique to prepare healable materials

Abstract

Detection of defects, damages and cracks in structural polymers is very difficult, and even if they are detected, they will be very hard to be repaired. This is because different kinds of stress can reduce the mechanical efficiency of structural and functional thermosetting composite materials and they can damage the polymer matrix, thus reducing the purposed properties. General healing processes use thermal energy "alone" to heal these materials, thus impairing the intended properties of the materials. Therefore, we present a thermal healing ability that can be switched-on and/or -offat desire using illumination by photon energy (visible and ultra violet). By this technique, one can control local heal while keeping the efficiency of the material nearly unchanged. Furan-based cross-linker chemically reacts (forward- and reverse-reaction) with short-chains of maleimide-substituted poly(lauryl methacrylate) to form robust chemical bonds. This permits us to perform local control over thermally induced de- and/or re-cross-linking techniques. One can extend and apply this technique to cover micro-devices, coating-techniques, fine lithography, micro- and nano-fabrication processes, etc. Therefore, the present work developed a suitable technology with structural polymeric material, which has the ability to self-heal cracks (and damages) and recover structural function.