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 in at least one hollow release vessel, wherein the modifying agent is capable of beneficially modifying the composite matrix material in response to a stimulus, wherein the cured matrix is a coating comprising a self repairing material that has waterproofing and coating properties.  
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  in which the coating material is settable in water.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow release vessel is a hollow particle.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the coating material has more than one release vessel therein.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  comprising a siloxane material in at least one release vessel.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5  wherein the siloxane cures in water.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1  comprising a metal in the at least one release vessel.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 8  wherein the metal is at least one of aluminum, steel, iron, titanium, lead, copper, bronze, phosphor bronze, brass and other alloys.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1  wherein an amine is present in at least one release vessel.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1  wherein catalysts are present in at least one release vessel.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the catalysts comprises metals and amines.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1  wherein a siloxane material and a metal material are in the at least one release vessel.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the reactants can react with water or are wettable.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the wettable reactants are siloxanes or polyurethanes.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the vessels have a diameter of less than 100 microns.  
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the release 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.  
     
     
         17 . An article comprising a cured composite matrix material having a modifying agent in release vessels therein, wherein the modifying agent is capable of beneficially modifying the composite matrix material in response to a stimulus, wherein the cured matrix is a coating and the coating is self repairing in water.  
     
     
         18 . A composition comprising a plurality of vessels comprising modifying agents of polysiloxane therein and a plurality of vessels comprising a reactor for polysiloxane therein.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , where the polysiloxane is selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxanes.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 18 , where one modifying agent is a catalyst.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , where the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of amines and metals.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , where the modifying agent comprises a metal.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 21 , where the catalyst comprises a metal in which tin is a component.  
     
     
         24 . A composition comprising a plurality of vessels in a matrix comprising modifying agents of an epoxy precursor and a crosslinker.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  24  wherein the crosslinker is an amine.