Self-repairing, reinforced matrix materials
First Claim
1. A shaped article comprising:
- a shaped matrix material having at least one hollow fiber disposed therein, said hollow fiber having a releasable modifying agent contained therein, means for maintaining the modifying agent within the fiber until released and means for permitting release of the modifying agent from the hollow fiber into matrix material in response to at lease one external stimulus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Self-repairing, fiber reinforced matrix materials include a matrix material including inorganic as well as organic matrices. Disposed within the matrix are hollow fibers having a selectively releasable modifying agent contained therein. The hollow fibers may be inorganic or organic and of any desired length, wall thickness or cross-sectional configuration. The modifying agent is selected from materials capable of beneficially modifying the matrix fiber composite after curing. The modifying agents are selectively released into the surrounding matrix in use in response to a predetermined stimulus be it internal or externally applied. The hollow fibers may be closed off or even coated to provide a way to keep the modifying agent in the fibers until the appropriate time for selective release occurs. Self-repair, smart fiber matrix composite materials capable of repairing microcracks, releasing corrosion inhibitors or permeability modifiers are described as preferred embodiments in concrete and polymer based shaped articles.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A shaped article comprising:
a shaped matrix material having at least one hollow fiber disposed therein, said hollow fiber having a releasable modifying agent contained therein, means for maintaining the modifying agent within the fiber until released and means for permitting release of the modifying agent from the hollow fiber into matrix material in response to at lease one external stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
Specification