Introduction

Statement of Problem

Objectives
I proposed to review the available literature about using self-healing plastic as a protective layer
for transport, in cars, in planes, in all the applications that requires toughness, for repair and
increasing durability of the object. In this review I will achieve the following goals:
1) Explain the criteria for a suitable polymeric material for durability.
2) Determine whether the synthesis of polymer meets these criteria.
The development and characterization of self-healing synthetic polymeric materials has been
inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response. This is
an emerging and fascinating area of research that could significantly extend the working life and
safety of the polymeric components for a broad range of applications. An ideal self-healing
material is capable of continuously sensing and responding to damage over the lifetime of the
polymeric components, and restoring the materials performance without negatively affecting the
initial materials properties. In my research I will consider a new family of plastics offer
insurance against fracture on an object through unique properties that allow them to be reformed
after being broken apart. Just add heat and a chemical catalyst, and watch the damage melt away.
Thermoplastics are malleable when heated but become fixed in a solid shape when cooled, and
cannot be reformed. Thermosets are rigid and retain their form even when heated. Therefore, a
new and innovative polymeric material utilized based on element-blocks. Recently, organicinorganic hybrids that have effectively combined properties of organic and inorganic materials
and organic polymer materials hybridized with various inorganic elements at the molecular level
have been extensively studied as new functional materials. In this research project, such concept
of hybridization is applied to element blocks. Based on this strategy, I would develop new
innovative element-block polymer materials and establish the new theory of polymeric materials
based on element-blocks where it could retain their form when heated, but can be reconstituted
infinite times.

After the self-healing polymer is created, I will assess how well the synthesize material meets the
criteria by characterizing the self-healing systems, the different methods for evaluating selfhealing efficiencies, and the applicability of these concepts to composites and structural
components.

Action Plan
This section presents my plan obtaining discussed in the previous section. There has been an
increase of interest in polymers and structural composites which are used in a variety of
applications which include transport vehicles (cars, aircrafts, ships, and spacecrafts), sporting
goods, civil engineering, and electronics. However, these materials are susceptible to damage
induced by mechanical, chemical, thermal, UV radiation, or a combination of these factors. This
could lead to the formation of microcracks deep within the structure where detection and external
intervention are difficult or impossible. The presence of the microcracks in the polymer matrix
can affect both the fiber and matrix dominated properties of a composite. There are many
ongoing researches about the possibility structural integrity of the polymeric components on
microcracks.
The first goal of my research is to explain the criteria for determining whether matrix dominated
properties such as compressive strength are also influenced by the amount of matrix damage. For
example, how the presence of the microcracks in the polymer matrix can affect both the fiber and
matric dominated properties of a composite? Also how compressive strength influences the
amount of matrix damage?

Conclusion