Process for preparing a self-healing composite material

A process for preparing a self-healing composite material for aeronautical structural components comprising a matrix of epoxy polymer, in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms are dispersed, said process comprising:

• a) preparing a mixture of
• 1) a precursor of said epoxy polymer, having at least one oxirane ring,
• 2) a tertiary amine curing agent,
• 3) a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst having the formula
• wherein Ar=aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and R=alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and
• 4) microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms;
• and
• b) heating said mixture at a temperature in the range of 25 and 130° C. for at least 1 hour, so as to obtain said matrix of epoxy polymer due to a reaction between precursor and curing agent, which reaction does not substantially involve either said catalyst or said microcapsules,
• wherein said tertiary amine curing agent is one that does not impair the activity of the Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst.