Self‐healing polymer blend based on PETG and EMAA

In this work, novel immiscible polymer blends with remarkable self‐healing properties were developed. The blends are based on poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG), a nonself‐healing polymer, and the ionomer sodium‐neutralized poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (EMAA), with self‐healing abilities. The ratios of (PETG)/ (EMAA) was varied from 0 to 100% (w/w) and mixtures were prepared using a twin‐screw melt extrusion. The blend studied compositions were characterized by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and self‐repair tests. The results revealed that blends samples were able to self‐repair damages created by Vickers microhardness indentations. The self‐repair is presented through video records where the establishment of scars in the damaged area can be observed. For the composition 50/50 (w/w), the whole repair was observed due the synergic effect between polymer chain mobility, new chemical interactions promoted between PETG and EMAA, thus improving its self‐healing ability.