Self-healing solutions for tackling cracks

A report by IDTechEx highlights some of the approaches to self-healing concrete, which - while initially costing more - could provide economic and environmental benefits, including reduced maintenance, extended lifespan and lower carbon emissions.

- 

EVERY year, industrialised nations lose approximately three per cent of GDP due to issues associated with material corrosion and degradation. In particular, damage to concrete structures and infrastructure – ranging from small cracks to complete failure – can lead to severe disruptions, and repairs can incur significant expense.

Concrete is the second most consumed material on Earth but its key ingredient, cement, is responsible for seven per cent of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. With the global population set to keep rising and developing countries continuing to urbanise, cutting back on construction simply isn't an option, says IDTechEx, which provides independent research on emerging technologies and their markets.

But what if damaged concrete had the ability to self-heal microcracks before they could propagate into larger-scale issues?

IDTechEx's report, “Self-Healing Materials 2025-2035: Technologies, Applications, and Players” authored Dr Conor O'Brien, Senior Technology Analyst at the organisation, provides a detailed overview of the market, including insights into technical challenges and progress, key sectors for market growth, and commercial readiness levels. An independent assessment of the market is provided throughout, including an outlook for the covered materials.

Concrete typically fails due to the development of microcracks, which gradually expand into larger cracks. Freeze-thaw action can be a major issue, where water fills cracks before freezing and expanding, causing further damage in a repetitive cycle. Self-healing concrete is designed to repair these microcracks efficiently. Many technologies exist, but IDTechEx research finds that biological approaches lead the way for the successful commercialisation of self-healing concrete.

AN ANCIENT APPROACH