Self-healing composite of thermoset polymer and programmed super contraction fibers

Abstract

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and means for molecular scale healing has the ability to repair structural defects by a bio-mimetic, close-then-heal process. The shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into proximity, after which the healing means moves into the defect and provides molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic, such as fibers, particles or spheres, which are heated to or above the thermoplastic's melting point, and then the composition is cooled below that melting temperature. The compositions can not only close macroscopic defects, but they can also do so repeatedly even if damage recurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.