Performance Evaluation of Self-Healing Flame- Retardant Polymer Composites using TOPSIS Methodology for Next-Generation Applications

Self-healing flame-retardant polymer composites represent an innovative advancement in materials science, offering a unique blend of fire resistance and autonomous repair capabilities. These materials tackle critical issues of material degradation and fire safety across diverse industries by incorporating self-healing mechanisms alongside flame retardant properties. Techniques such as microcapsules, vascular networks, and dynamic covalent bonds enable autonomous healing of microscopic defects while preserving flame retardancy and extending service life. This study assesses the performance of four self-healing flame-retardant polymer composites using the TOPSIS methodology, considering criteria such as mechanical strength, flame retardancy, self-healing, residual strength, processing time, and cost. The Epoxy-Carbon Fiber and Epoxy-Kevlar Fiber Composites emerge as top performers, showing promise for applications requiring fire resistance and durability, like aerospace and automotive sectors. Addressing challenges such as scalable manufacturing, optimizing healing kinetics, and enhancing characterization techniques is essential to fully realize the potential of these materials for future applications, enhancing safety and sustainability across industries.