| abstract |
The process for preparing a self-healing composite material 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, comprises the steps of: n- preparing a mixture of na precursor of the epoxy polymer, having at least one oxiranc ring, na curing agent chosen from the group consisting of tertiary amines, a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst reaction, having the formula (I), wherein Ar= aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and "R= alkyl with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and nmicrocapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms; and n n- heating the mixture at a temperature comprised between 25 and 130 °C for at least 1 hour, so as to obtain such 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. |