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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Mechanoluminescent Visualization of Crack Propagation for Joint Evaluation
Published on: January 6, 2023
Extremely Tough, Puncture-Resistant, Transparent, and Photoluminescent Polyurethane Elastomers for Crack
Xingxing Chen1, Qianyun Zhong1, Chenhui Cui1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science and MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter and State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures; Xi'an Jiaotong University & Shaanxi Quantong Joint Research Institute of New Energy Vehicles Power, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
Abstract:
Ensuring material performance reliability and lifetime is crucial for practical operations. Small cracks on the material surface are often detrimental to its safe operation. This study describes the development of a hydrogen bond-rich puncture-resistant polyurethane elastomer with supertoughness. The as-prepared polyurethane transparent films feature high tensile break strength (57.4 MPa) and great toughness (228 MJ m-3). Additionally, a facile, low-cost, crack self-diagnostic approach through photoluminescence using a small luminous pen is reported. The materials efficiently achieved self-healing at 90 °C after the crack formation. The change of fluorescence intensity on the crack can be used to track the self-healing process. Therefore, this work provides a guideline for the material design of supertough, puncture-resistant, transparent, and healable elastomers and a crack self-diagnosis and healing approach.
