Synthesis and characterization of microcapsule filled with linseed oil and investigation its self-healing properties

In this article, effectiveness of linseed oil filled microcapsules was investigated for healing of cracks generated in coating. Microcapsules were synthesized by in situ polymerization of urea-formaldehyde resin to form shell over linseed oil droplets. Characteristics of these capsules were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulted capsules have diameters in the range of 20-100 µm. FTIR spectrum confirmed that linseed oil has been successfully encapsulated in urea-formaldehyde shell. The self-healing properties as well as anticorrosive performance of synthesized microcapsules were studied. Corrosion protection of coating with microcapsules was compared with pristine coating free from microcapsules by polarization test. Results indicated the excellent corrosion protection property of the linseed oil microcapsules based self-healing coating.