Synthesis and Characterization of Microcapsules Containing Epoxy Resin (Epon 828) for Self-healing Coatings

Abstract In the field of coatings, extensive laboratory research has been conducted in the last decade. In the present work, effectiveness of epoxy resin filled microcapsules was investigated for future using in healing of cracks generated in coatings. Microcapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization of urea?formaldehyde resin to form shell over epoxy resin droplets. The optimal process parameters for synthesizing the microcapsules were selected. The as-synthesized microcapsules were studied by various characterizations techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicate that microcapsules containing epoxy resins can be synthesized successfully. The average size is around 100 m. The rough outer surface of microcapsule is composed of agglomerated urea?formaldehyde nanoparticles. The microcapsules basically exhibit good storage stability at room temperature, and they are chemically stable before the heating temperature is up to approximately 250 C.