Self-Healing Wire Insulation

Abstract

A self-healing system for an insulation material initiates a self-repair process by rupturing a plurality of microcapsules disposed on the insulation material. When the plurality of microcapsules are ruptured, reactants within the plurality of microcapsules react to form a replacement polymer in a break of the insulation material. This self-healing system has the ability to repair multiple breaks in a length of insulation material without exhausting the repair properties of the material.

1 . A self-healing system comprising, a repair material including a plurality of microcapsules, said plurality of microcapsules includes at least a first microcapsule having a first reactant encapsulated by a first outer polymer shell and at least a second microcapsule having a second reactant encapsulated by a second outer polymer shell, said first reactant and said second reactant react to form a replacement polymer upon rupturing of said first outer polymer shell and said second outer polymer shell, and wherein said first reactant and said second reactant are selected from the group comprising a monomer, a reactant of a condensation polymer, a fusible polymer and a chemical heater. 
     
     
         2 . The self-healing system of  claim 1 , whereby said repair material is an insulation material. 
     
     
         3 . The self-healing system of  claim 1 , whereby said repair material is a strip of material. 
     
     
         4 . The self-healing system of  claim 3 , whereby said strip of material is a plastic strip. 
     
     
         5 . The self-healing system of  claim 1 , whereby said first reactant is a dianhydride and said second reactant is a diamine. 
     
     
         6 . The self-healing system of  claim 1 , whereby said first reactant is a polyfluorocarbon and said second reactant is a chemical heater.