A new type of self-healing polymers with memory effect has been created

Engineers at Texas A&M University, in conjunction with US Army Combat Capability Development Command, have unveiled a new generation of synthetic materials that are self-healing, varying in hardness, and recyclable. In this case, any of the characteristics is capable of being modified.

According to the researchers, the new polymer was made through chemical modification of another already known to science. As a result, the material can be used for 3D printing, recyclable, and its strength and toughness can be adjusted, resulting in a polymer with the softness of rubber or the hardness of ABS plastic.

At the same time, a finished product made from a new polymer is able to recover its shape upon deformation, since it has a memory effect. In addition, in the event of a rupture, the material can also “heal” on its own within a few seconds. During development, a long chain of repeating molecules of the so-called prepolymer was supplemented with small sections of crosslinking molecules. With an increase in the number of such binding molecules, the hardness of the material increases.

The scientists noted that there is a huge difference between the softest and hardest modification of the new polymer. At high temperatures, the material becomes softer due to the cleavage of molecular bonds, while at room temperature the process is reversed. Researchers are now planning to work on the material’s capabilities to enhance their properties.

Source: internetua.com