Numerical prediction of effective mechanical properties of microencapsulated self-healing resin mineral composites considering the interfacial phase

Abstract

Microencapsulated self-healing resin mineral composites (MSRMCs) are widely recognized for their excellent dynamic performance and intrinsic crack-repair ability. However, existing mechanical models fail to accurately capture the complex interactions between the constituent phases, particularly the role of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). To address this limitation, this study develops a three-dimensional finite element model of a core–wall–ITZ–matrix composite by integrating the Mori–Tanaka method with the generalized self-consistent model. The model is validated against published experimental data and subsequently employed to systematically investigate the influence of ITZ and microcapsule parameters on the elastic properties of MSRMC. The results indicate that: (1) increasing the ITZ thickness alters composite properties by up to 15.72%, while higher ITZ modulus raises the elastic modulus by a maximum of 14.23%; (2) the microcapsule distribution significantly affects the elastic response, with a modulus difference of 0.2547 GPa between clustered and uniform arrangements; (3) larger capsule size, stiffer walls, and greater wall thickness enhance the overall stiffness, with property increments reaching 18.62%. These results provide a theoretical foundation and a preliminary reference for the design and performance optimization of MSRMC, though their direct applicability to advanced engineering applications awaits further experimental validation.