A simplified predictive model for the compression behavior of self-healing microcapsules using an empirical coefficient

Abstract

This study is dedicated to predicting the compression behavior of microcapsules, a key aspect in self-healing applications. Understanding the compression behavior of microcapsules, mainly due to their liquid cores, is a complex task. Equally challenging is the evaluation of the shell properties. We aimed to streamline this prediction process by introducing the empirical coefficient Ccore, which accounts for core influence. We conducted experiments on microcapsules with MUF (Melamine–Urea–Formaldehyde) shells, compressing them between two plates and recording their responses to load and displacement. The empirical coefficient, influenced by capsule size, shell properties, and core volume fraction, was then analyzed in terms of microcapsule size and Young’s modulus. The research results showed that as the diameter of microcapsule and Young’s modulus of the shell increased, the Ccore also increased. This relationship could be represented in a three-dimensional surface. These findings could significantly contribute to estimating shell properties and modeling matrices with dispersed microcapsules.