Mechanical Properties of Microcapsules Used in a Self-Healing Polymer

The elastic modulus and failure behavior of poly(urea-formaldehyde) shelled microcapsules were determined through single-capsule compression tests. Capsules were tested both dry and immersed in a fluid isotonic with the encapsulent. The testing of capsules immersed in a fluid had little influence on mechanical behavior in the elastic regime. Elastic modulus of the capsule shell wall was extracted by comparison with a shell theory model for the compression of a fluid filled microcapsule. Average capsule shell wall modulus was 3.7 GPa, regardless of whether the capsule was tested immersed or dry. Microcapsule diameter was found to have a significant effect on failure strength, with smaller capsules sustaining higher loads before failure. Capsule size had no effect on the modulus value determined from comparison with theory.