Self-Healing Mechanisms in Cementitious Materials
Summary
Self-healing in cementitious materials encompasses both intrinsic (autogenous) and engineered (autonomous) repair processes that restore mechanical integrity and watertightness after cracking. Autogenous healing exploits continued hydration of unreacted cement particles and precipitation of calcium carbonate to seal microcracks under favourable moisture and temperature conditions. Autonomous strategies involve embedding capsules, vascular networks or microbial systems within the matrix to release healing agents—such as silicate solutions, polymers or bacteria—when cracks form. Recent advances have demonstrated that the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials, bespoke crystalline admixtures and tailored fibre reinforcements can optimise crack closure kinetics, permitting multiple damage–healing cycles under natural environments. Key factors governing efficiency include crack width, curing regime, chemical composition and maturity of the host matrix. Together, these approaches promise to extend service life, reduce maintenance interventions and lower the life-cycle carbon footprint of concrete infrastructure worldwide.
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Self-Healing Mechanisms in Cementitious Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in self-healing mechanisms in cementitious materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Autogenous self-healing: Inherent crack-sealing via further hydration of unreacted cement and precipitation of calcium carbonate without added agents.
Autonomous self-healing: Engineered repair triggered by embedded capsules, vascular networks or microbes releasing healing agents upon crack occurrence.
Microcapsule: Microscopic container encapsulating reactive healing materials that rupture and release contents when the surrounding matrix cracks.
Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs): Pozzolanic or latent hydraulic materials (e.g. fly ash, slag) used to replace part of the cement, influencing hydration and healing processes.
Engineered cementitious composites (ECC): Ductile, fibre-reinforced cementitious blends designed to control crack width and promote multiple fine cracks and enhanced autogenous healing.
Calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H): The primary binding gel formed during cement hydration that fills pore space and contributes to strength and durability.
References
- Understanding the efficiency of autogenous and autonomous self-healing of conventional concrete mixtures through mechanical and microscopical analysis. Cement and Concrete Research (2023).
- Self-Healing in Cementitious Materials—A Review. Materials (2013).
- Sealing of cracks in cement using microencapsulated sodium silicate. Smart Materials and Structures (2016).
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