Another meta-trend worth noting is that the performance of self-healing materials is getting better. More specifically, what we are seeing is that self-healing materials are increasingly in sync with real world applications needs, although as n-tech sees things they still have way to go in this regard:
The automotive sector already uses self-healing aftermarket coatings, but has begun to sample much higher performing self-healing materials that can comply with the industry’s demanding coatings requirements. The rapidly growing use of relatively fragile composites in the automotive sector is a strong driver for the development of self-healing composites. And we are seeing a transition from user applied low-performance self-healing coatings to professionally applied higher-performing self-healing coatings, such as FeynLab Heal Plus.
Progress is being made in embedding microcapsules containing monomer, crosslinker or catalysts into a coating matrix, enabling higher performance self-healing coatings. An innovative example is the use of microencapsulated phase-change material (PCM) particles in interior coatings for buildings. During the day, as the temperature rises, the core material melts and stores heat. During the night, when the temperature falls, the heat stored inside the capsules is released, thereby reducing energy needs.
