Statistical analysis of the self-healing epoxy-loaded microcapsules across their synthesis

Statistical analysis of the microcapsule size has been successfully applied for the characterization of epoxy-loaded polymer microcapsules useful for self-healing process. Melamine-formaldehyde polymer was chosen as a capsule shell material. The mean droplet size of microcapsules increases with the reaction duration. In addition, they had tendency to form clusters. However, it was shown that the mean diameter of microcapsules is predetermined by the size of epoxy droplets in water emulsion. The droplets form through diffusion and coalescence. The duration of microencapsulation process increases the stability of the final microcapsules.

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► Statistical analysis of capsules size was first time applied for the characterization of epoxy encapsulation.
► The mean capsules diameter is predetermined by the droplet size in water emulsion.
► The droplets form in two processes of diffusion and coalescence.
► The duration of encapsulation increases the stability of the final microcapsules.