Patent ID: 8273806

Claim:
A process for preparing a self-healing composite material for aeronautical structural components comprising a matrix of epoxy polymer, in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms are dispersed, said process comprising: a) preparing a mixture of 1) a precursor of said epoxy polymer, having at least one oxirane ring, 2) a tertiary amine curing agent, 3) a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst having the formula wherein Ar=aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and R=alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and 4) microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms; and b) heating said mixture at a temperature in the range of 25 and 130° C. for at least 1 hour, so as to obtain said matrix of epoxy polymer due to a reaction between precursor and curing agent, which reaction does not substantially involve either said catalyst or said microcapsules, wherein said tertiary amine curing agent is one that does not impair the activity of the Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst.