Tensile and creep behavior of microvascular based self-healing composites: Experimental study

A 3D microvascular network which was generated by 3D printing method was within the composite specimens. Healing efficiency of the composites was investigated using mechanical tensile and creep tests. The experimental results revealed that despite mechanical properties degradation in the specimens due to the presence of the embedded network, significant healing efficiency can be obtained at both room and elevated temperatures by the presented healing method. The maximum healing efficiency of 89% was obtained in tensile strength for the specimens, which were healed for 7 days. Moreover, creep behavior of the self-healing specimens showed promising results and the healing efficiency was 83% in creep rupture time of the composites at 90 °C.