Functional structural nanocomposites with integrated self-healing ability

The use of aeronautical thermosetting resins in the field of structural materials is still limited because of several drawbacks, such as the absence of electrical and thermal conductivity and the poor impact damage resistance. An important contribution for increasing the composite application in this field can be given by implementing a strategy of autonomous damage-repair and other specific functions integrated into the material structure. This work proposes a successful strategy based on the design of supramolecular self-healing systems. It is aimed at developing self-healing, load-bearing structures with all functionalities integrated into a single material able to fulfill important industrial requirements.