Self-healing polymer blend based on PETG and EMAA |
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| Authors: | Philipe A. P. Silva Aline Bruna da Silva João Paulo Ferreira Santos Rodrigo Lambert Oréfice |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Metallurgical, Materials Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil;2. Department of Materials Engineering, Federal Center of Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | In this work, novel immiscible polymer blends with remarkable self-healing properties were developed. The blends are based on poly(ethylene glycol-co-cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG), a nonself-healing polymer, and the ionomer sodium-neutralized poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA), with self-healing abilities. The ratios of (PETG)/ (EMAA) was varied from 0 to 100% (w/w) and mixtures were prepared using a twin-screw melt extrusion. The blend studied compositions were characterized by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and self-repair tests. The results revealed that blends samples were able to self-repair damages created by Vickers microhardness indentations. The self-repair is presented through video records where the establishment of scars in the damaged area can be observed. For the composition 50/50 (w/w), the whole repair was observed due the synergic effect between polymer chain mobility, new chemical interactions promoted between PETG and EMAA, thus improving its self-healing ability. |
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| Keywords: | blends extrusion morphology rheology thermoplastics |
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