A numerical study into the effects of elongated capsules on the healing efficiency of liquid-based systems

In this numerical study the release of healing agent for liquid-based self-healing systems for elongated microcapsules is studied and compared with that for the usual spherical capsules. it is shown that a high aspect ratio and a proper spatial orientation of the elongated capsules have a positive influence on the calculated release of liquid healing agent per crack area. Consequently, considerable reductions of capsule loading concentrations for a particular healing efficiency are suggested in order to preserve the material intrinsic properties to a larger extend, Furthermore, the model predicts the maximal degree of healing as function of the crack opening distance and the capsule dimensions and concentration. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.