Advanced Materials Portfolio

Healable Resins

CRG is currently developing a self-healing version of shape memory polymer (SMP) called Veriflex^® EH. This healable SMP resin will enable increased survivability for manned and unmanned air vehicles, spacecraft, habitats for space exploration missions, automobiles, and more.

Veriflex EH is an epoxy-based resin that will be a direct replacement for current aerospace-grade epoxy resins. Veriflex EH can be processed using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), RTM, or wet lay-up techniques. CRG is also developing a prepreg formulation.

Veriflex EH uses two healing mechanisms to restore up to 85% of original mechanical performance. The first healing mechanism, shape recovery, brings the cracked or damaged area back into intimate physical contact. The second healing mechanism, polymer diffusion, allows long polymer chains to diffuse across the failure line and restore mechanical integrity. Both healing mechanisms are thermally activated and are achieved in less than three minutes.

Possible Applications

   • Aerospace structures
   • Automobiles
   • Marine panels
   • Composite structures

Features and Benefits

   • 85% recovery of flexural strength
   • Lower cost maintenance and repair
   • Longer product life
   • Increased survivability
   • Tailorability for specific applications
   • Custom transition temperatures from 14°C to 105°C (57°F to 221°F)
   • Compatibility with standard processing and manufacturing (VARTM, filament
      winding, fiber placement)

Preliminary Data (material is still in development)