| abstract |
Process for preparing a self-healing composite material comprising an epoxy polymer matrix, in which a ring-opening metathesis reaction catalyst and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms are dispersed, said process comprising the steps of: - preparing a mixture of: a precursor of said epoxy polymer having at least one oxirane ring, a curing agent chosen from the group consisting of tertiary amines, a reaction with a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst having the formula ** Formula ** in which Ar> = aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and "R> = alkyl with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms; and - heating said mixture at a temperature between 25 and 130 ° C for at least 1 hour, in order to obtain said epoxy polymer matrix due to a reaction between precurs or and curing agent, which reaction does not substantially involve either said catalyst or said microcapsules. |