Influence of Healing Agents and Concrete Environment on PLA 3D Printed Mini-vascular Networks for Self-healing Concrete Structures

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of alkaline environment and healing agents on 3D-printed Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) mini vascular networks (MVNs) for self-healing concrete structures. PLA is an interesting thermoplastic polymer for 3D printing MVNs, due to its good mechanical property and its sustainability. Studies conducted recently on single channel MVNs also known as TETs, and dual channel MVNs, or d-TETs, have indicated that they can effectively store either a single or two-component healing agents to promote the self-healing process in concrete structures. Solubility tests and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis were conducted in this study to assess the degradation of PLA polymer resulting from various factors, including the printing process, embedment of MVNs in concrete matrices, and prolonged contact with healing agents such as sodium silicate and nanolime solutions.