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Low-Temperature Self-Healing Cement Mortar Enabled by Novel Composite Microcapsules: Performance, Mechanism, and
1School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Liuzhou Institute of Technology, Liuzhou 545616, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 14, 2026
Summary
Novel microcapsules enhance self-healing concrete performance in cold climates. This innovation enables autonomous crack repair, improving infrastructure durability in freezing temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Concrete Technology
Background:
- Self-healing concrete effectiveness is limited in low temperatures due to slow kinetics and brittle capsules.
- Existing repair methods struggle with durability in cold environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize composite microcapsules for effective concrete self-healing at sub-zero temperatures.
- To investigate the synergistic healing mechanisms in cold-climate concrete.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of novel composite microcapsules with ethyl cellulose shells and dual-core (expansive cement and epoxy resin).
- Incorporation of microcapsules into cement mortar and optimization using response surface methodology.
- Evaluation of healing efficiency and mechanical properties at -20 °C via crack healing ratio and compressive strength recovery.
Main Results:
- Optimal formulation achieved 44.1% crack healing ratio and 6.0% compressive strength recovery at -20 °C.
- Microstructural analysis revealed synergistic healing through calcium carbonate, C-S-H gel, anorthite, and polymerized epoxy.
- Identified optimal microcapsule content (3% by mass of cement) and particle size (1.4-1.7 mm).
Conclusions:
- Developed a functional material strategy for autonomous crack repair in cold climates.
- Composite microcapsules significantly enhance concrete durability in low-temperature environments.
- Synergistic healing mechanism provides effective crack sealing and marginal strength recovery, crucial for structural integrity.
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