abstract |
The disclosure relates to a self-healing laminate composition. The composition includes a first, self-healing layer with a self-healing polymer and a second, mechanical layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer includes any desired polymer, for example a crosslinked polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, or a functional thermoset polymer. Self-healing polymers with dynamic covalent bonds are suitable, for example those with dynamic urea bonds and/or dynamic urethane bonds. A self-healing polymer that is damaged can undergo autonomous repair when separated surfaces re-contact each other due to the soft nature of the self-healing polymer, whereupon reversible bonds can reform to rejoin and repair the damaged self-healing polymer. When the self-healing laminate according to the disclosure is damaged, the self- healing mechanism of the first layer can cause the repair of both layers. The self-healing laminate composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide self- healing properties to a surface of the substrate. |