Self-Repairing, Reinforced Matrix Materials

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.

1 . An article comprising a cured composite matrix material having a modifying agent therein, wherein the modifying agent is capable of beneficially modifying the composite matrix material in response to a stimulus, wherein modifying agent is in a vessel.  
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  comprising more than one vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2  comprising more than one modifying agent in the more than one vessel.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the release vessel has a coating on the outer surface.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein the coating comprises wax.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein each of the more than one vessel has a coating comprising wax.  
     
     
         7 . An article comprising a cured composite matrix material having a modifying agent therein, wherein the modifying agent is capable of beneficially modifying the composite matrix material in response to a stimulus, wherein at least one the modifying agent is encapsulated in a vessel or present in a coating.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7  in which the coating or vessel comprises glass, cellulose, polymeric, fiberglass, cement, asphalt, hydroxyapatite, glass, ceramic, metal, polyolefin, polyester, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polyarylate, polyamide, polyimide, polyaramide, polyurethane, carbon, graphite, cellulose, nitrocellulose, hydrocarbon, magnetostrictive, shape memory polymeror metal, piezoelectric ceramic, metal, ceramic or polymer material.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 8  wherein the coating is wax.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 9  wherein the wax coating encapsulates polyolefin modifying agent.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10  further comprising a metal modifying agent.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11  wherein the metal is one or more of aluminum, steel, iron, titanium, lead, copper, bronze, phosphor bronze, brass and other alloys.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the metal further comprises tin.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 10  further comprising an amine modifying agent.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the modifying agent and coating are particles.  
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15  wherein the particles are metal or polymer.  
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 3  wherein the modifying agent is a catalyst.  
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 3  wherein one of the modifying agents is a reactant  
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 3  wherein one of the modifying agents is an activator.  
     
     
         20 . A composite material, comprising: 
 (i) a polymer,    (ii) a polymerizer,    (iii) a protected corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and    (iv) a plurality of vessels, wherein the polymerizer is in the vessels, and the corresponding activator has a coating thereon.    
     
     
         21 . The composite material of  claim 20  wherein the polymerizer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         22 . The composite material of  claim 20  wherein the coating is a wax.  
     
     
         23 . The composite material of  claim 20  wherein in which the polymer is polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polyaramid, polyimide, carbon, graphite, cellulose, nitrocellulose, polysiloxane, epoxy, hydrocarbon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, aramid, polypropylene, elastomer, thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, crosslinkable polymers, curable polymer resin systems, hydroxyapatite, thermoplastic polymers, polyolefins, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polyarylates, polyurethanes, foaming polyurethanes, curable resin systems, one and two part epoxies, phenolformaldehyde resins, thermoplastic elastomers, rubbery polymers, styrene, butadiene, rubber, neoprene, SEBS, NBR, and EPDM rubbers, viscoelastic materials, or latex.  
     
     
         24 . The composite material of  claim 20  wherein the vessels comprise fiberglass, cement, asphalt, hydroxyapatite, glass, ceramic, metal, polyolefin, polyester, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polyarylate, polyamide, polyimide, polyaramide, polyurethane, carbon, graphite, cellulose, nitrocellulose, hydrocarbon, shape memory alloys, or magnetostrictive piezoelectric material.  
     
     
         25 . The composite material of  claim 20  wherein the activator is an amine and the polymerizer is an epoxy precursor.