Preparation of Epoxy and Amine Containing Microcapsules with Solvent Evaporation Technique for Self-healing Adhesive Joint

In this work, epoxy and amine containing microcapsules were synthesized by solvent evaporation technique. The effect of emulsifier used on morphological properties of microcapsules has been investigated. Two types of emulsifiers were used in solvent evaporation technique: polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS). The shell of the microcapsules were made of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA). The molecular architecture of the capsules was investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SDS emulsifier-based microcapsules showed rough surface texture under field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The synthesized microcapsules were used to prepare self-healing adhesive joints. A maximum healing efficiency of about 91% was achieved due to addition of 10 wt.% of epoxy and amine microcapsules synthesized using SDS as emulsifier. The self-healing concept using epoxy and amine microcapsules with different type and concentration of emulsifier is found to be very interesting due to their potential use in structural applications.