Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, have developed a self- healing plastic that could be useful in repairing cracked plastic items and in recycling plastics. Most composite materials, out of which a variety of things ranging from aircraft wings to circuit boards are made, consist of fibres of glass or carbon embedded in a matrix of polymer. These can develop cracks when subjected to stress and the cracks get bigger with the increase in strain. The scientists embedded tiny capsules of a liquid healing agent in the polymer matrix. When the crack increases it breaks the capsule thereby releasing the healing agent. The healing agent then comes into contact with a catalyst, also embedded in the matrix, and then polymerises. This polymer chain along the crack helps to bond the crack together. The cost of such a treatment might make it too expensive to use in ordinary materials but in certain specialized applications like prosthetics and satellites, it could prove to be invaluable ( Nature , Vol 40, p794).
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.