Healing of interfacial surfaces in polymer systems

Literature data on the problems related to the healing of interfacial surfaces in polymers are revisited. Specific features and behavior of the contacting surfaces of polymer films in the rubbery and glassy states, as well as in heterophase polymer systems, are analyzed. Particular details associated with the healing of interfacial surfaces in polymers, which are capable of chemical interactions with each other, are considered. Special attention is focused on the analysis of the phenomena taking place on the newborn interfaces formed owing to the deformation of polymers in different physical states. Processes providing healing of shear bands and crazes during annealing of deformed polymer glasses are discussed. The above phenomena are shown to present evident practical interest from the viewpoint of the development of advanced nanocomposites based on polymer matrices.