Effect of encapsulated linseed oil agglomeration on the flexural behavior of epoxy/microcapsules composites

In the present study, the flexural stiffness and healing effects of the epoxy/microcapsules compositespecimens was investigated. The linseed oil as a healing agent was encapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)shell and the linseed oil/PMMA microcapsules were embedded in the EPL 1012 epoxy resin. Three-point bending testspecimens containing 1.5wt% of the microcapsules were prepared and tested. The load–displacement curves of theepoxy/microcapsules composite specimens were compared with the pristine specimens. In this way, the effect of capsulesagglomeration on the flexural modulus and the peak load was evaluated. The results show the significant effect ofmicrocapsules agglomeration on the stiffness reduction in epoxy/microcapsules composite.

Keywords:

Self-healing composites , Microcapsules , Flexural stiffness , Three-point bending test