Self-repairing, reinforced matrix materials
First Claim
1. A shaped article of composite material, comprising:
- a cured polymer matrix, anda plurality of hollow release vessels, wherein at least one of a polymerizer and a catalyst is situated in the release vessels, and wherein at least one of the polymerizer and the catalyst is selectively releasable from the release vessels in response to a predetermined external stimulus to modify a performance characteristic of the cured matrix material.
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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.
148 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A shaped article of composite material, comprising:
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a cured polymer matrix, and a plurality of hollow release vessels, wherein at least one of a polymerizer and a catalyst is situated in the release vessels, and wherein at least one of the polymerizer and the catalyst is selectively releasable from the release vessels in response to a predetermined external stimulus to modify a performance characteristic of the cured matrix material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. A shaped article of a self-repairing composite material, comprising a matrix comprising a cured polymer, a plurality of hollow release vessels in the matrix, and at least one of a polymerizer and a catalyst in the release vessels, wherein the polymerizer and the catalyst are selected from a modifying agent capable of modifying the composite material.
- 22. A shaped article of composite material comprising a cured matrix, at least one hollow release vessel, and a modifying agent, wherein the modifying agent is chemically compatible with the matrix and is capable of beneficially modifying the composite material in response to a predetermined external stimulus.
Specification