Capsule-based self-healing polymers and composites

Self-healing polymeric materials are at the state-of-art of advanced materials for the last three decades. Among the three self-healing approaches, intrinsic, vascular, and capsule-based, the most easily applicable method is that of the encapsulation of the healing agent into distinct capsules and the subsequent incorporation of these capsules inside the matrix material. Capsule-based self-healing systems have already been studied for a variety of applications in polymers and composites. In this chapter, a detailed review of the research on capsule-based self-healing systems is presented. Beginning with the design of such systems, and ranging from the synthesis and characterization to the application of these advanced materials in polymer matrices, coatings, and composites. The chapter aims to give an overview of the state-of-art as well as to identify the possible gaps and provide suggestions for further research.