Scientists Make Self-Healing Rubber

The new research was published this week in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

In lab tests, samples of rubber made using the process were able to heal cuts in themselves at room temperature. When torn, their rubber can recover the durability and elasticity that vulcanization gives.

A cut in a modern vehicle tire typically can’t be patched. Here it is described how researchers have created a durable and elastic rubber that is also self-healing. The approach, however, didn’t include vulcanizing or cross-linking agents conventionally used. Scientists have found a way to turn rubber into a “self-healing” material.

Getting a flat tire might never be an entirely hassle-free experience, but before too long it may no longer be necessary to patch or replace punctured tires.

Researchers from Germany and Finland have taken a step toward developing technology that would allow a tire to fix itself.

After eight days, the “self-healing” material was able to withstand 754 pounds per square inch. Heating it to 212 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 10 minutes accelerated the fix process. With their new process though, the researchers avoid vulcanization while still making the rubber durable and elastic, and adding the self-healing ability.

Other authors for the study include: Gert Heinrich, Brigitte Voit, Klaus Werner Stöckelhuber, Sven Wießner, Debdipta Basu, Marcus Suckow, Frank Böhme and Aladdin Sallat.