Self-Healing coatings in Architecture
Project partner: SURF
Aim of the project
The project’s main objective is the study and development of robust self-healing coating systems for the long term durable protection of existing metal structures, as well as replacement elements, in architectural renovation projects.
Context
Metals are and have been widely used for many decades in building & construction world-wide. They are selected for their outstanding mechanical properties providing strength and stability to the structures, as well as for their functional properties such as their appearance. The main drawback of metals is their susceptibility to corrosion. Past and current metal protection systems against corrosion are following the ‘damage prevention’ concept: coatings are applied on the metal with a high initial performance, but – when damaged- they are unable to repair and consequently fail to adequately further protect the structure.
Innovation SHARC
What we propose follows the innovative ‘damage management’ concept: the coatings contain autonomous self-healing mechanisms to repair surface defects and as such restore the initial properties of the structure even after multiple damage events. The self-healing coatings will contain ‘green’ eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for immediate passivation in the event of a defect exposing the underlying metal, combined with autonomous repair of the polymeric matrix coating.
Results
Microcapsules with variable mechanical properties have been synthesized containing single reactive healing agents that can polymerize autonomously when the capsules break during a damage event of the coating. The design of the different capsules is conceived to heal different types of damages. Additionally encapsulated corrosion inhibitors are incorporated in the coatings. A methodology to study the healing of the system has been established. Using various electrochemical as well as standard corrosion tests it was shown that the healing elements can protect the underlying metal against corrosion when the coating is damaged. The concept of the autonomous healing coating has been demonstrated.