Summary

Reinforced epoxy composites are being used in many load baring application and currently a few companies in Sri Lanka has engaged in manufacturing and assembling automobile and marine industrial components where they use these reinforced epoxy composites. However, the lack of technological advancements have impede the growth of these local companies. “self-healing composites” is a current global research interest and it is widely used by profound epoxy composite manufactures in the globe to add value to their products (more durable epoxy composites can be produced by “self-healing” technique). Although it is a global research interest, not much of attention has been paid by local researchers to develop self-healing rigid polymer composites. Hence the completion of this project enables us to train a set of knowledgeable, experienced and skilled Sri Lankan scientists who could compete with the global demands. Moreover, excelling in “self-healing” epoxy composites will provide a technological advancements for the local epoxy composite manufacturers who are engaged in automobile and marine industry, and that would create them a new export market. Furthermore, basic knowledge gathered by this study will open more avenues to establish local industries (reinforced epoxy composite manufacturers as well as calcium carbonate refining and processing plants) which would have a direct impact on the national economic development.

Objectives

1. To devise novel methods to synthesize calcium carbonate nano/micro particles with different morphologies (hollow and solid-spheres, rods, etc.)
2. To identify the optimum parameters (a suitable surface modifier to enhance the interfacial interaction between the filler and matrix, particle shape and size, appropriate hardener, etc.) to improve the mechanical properties (fracture toughness, impact resistance, tensile strength, hardness, etc.) of calcium carbonate reinforced epoxy composites.
3. To devise a technique to synthesize single and multi-channel capsule systems to encapsulate the monomer and hardener.
4. To investigate the self-healing efficiency of single and multi-channeled calcium carbonate capsules based epoxy composites.
5. To expand the developed healing agent carrier system to investigate the self-healing ability of other polymers such as poly (lactic acid) and rubber with different mineral-based micro/nano capsules.

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant