With recent rapid development of technology and industry, polymeric materials have gained an important status in our everyday life. Despite many advantages, that polymeric materials are providing (low density, high strength, suitability of multilateral use…), they represent a significant threat to our ecosystem. As a form of waste, they represent a great challenge because the procedures of their decomposition demand controlled waste management (sorting). For that reason, it is possible to detect recent developments in the search for sustainable solutions in the field of polymeric materials applied in external environment.
In my thesis I described two approaches, that strive for these solutions. The first approach is based on composite materials, that are composed of two or more components, which are selected on the basis of individual properties that we want to preserve or express in the newly formed composite. With the appropriate composition and manufacturing process of the composite, the performance and functionality of individual basic components are improved. The second approach I presented is self-healing of polymeric materials. Self-healing is a property of some smart materials, for which it is typical to respond to external stimuli. Material with the ability of self-healing can be defined as a material that with the occurrence of an injury, immediately and autonomously restores the damaged area. Both approaches are focused on the extension of longevity of polymeric materials. In practice, this allows us to avoid various defects, repairs and replacements of parts, thus ensuring the durability of the product in areas where it is of importance. Within my thesis, I have summarized the principle of both approaches with an example of manufacture and practical use of a specific polymeric material with self-healing ability, reinforced with carbon fiber (CFRP).
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