In this study, the heating capacity of nanocomposite materials enhanced with magnetic nanoparticles was investigated through induction heating. Thermoplastic (TP) matrices of polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyamide (PA12), and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) were compounded with 2.5–10 wt.% iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using a twin-screw extrusion system. Disk-shape specimens were prepared by 3D printing and injection molding. The heating capacity was examined as a function of exposure time, frequency, and power using a radio frequency (RF) generator with a solenoid inductor coil. All nanocomposite materials presented a temperature increase proportional to the MNPs’ concentration as a function of the exposure time in the magnetic field. The nanocomposites with a higher concentration of MNPs presented a rapid increase in temperature, resulting in polymer matrix melting in most of the trials. The operational parameters of the RF generator, such as the input power and the frequency, significantly affect the heating capacity of the specimens, higher input power, and higher frequencies and promote the rapid increase in temperature for all assessed nanocomposites, enabling induced-healing and bonding/debonding on-demand applications.

In the present study, a series of carbon-based nanocomposites based on recycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix and MWCNT fillers synthesized in a laboratory environment were prepared at various loadings and assessed in terms of their functional thermal, dielectric, and rheological properties, as well as their ohmic heating capability, for self-healing applications in extrusion-based 3D printing technologies. The synthesis of nanomaterials focused on the production of two different types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. A comparative assessment and benchmarking were conducted with nanocomposite filaments obtained from commercial nanomaterials and masterbatches with MWCNTs. For all the polymer nanocomposites, samples were prepared at additive contents up to 15 wt.% and filament feedstock was produced via the melt-extrusion process for 3D printing; these were previously characterized by rheological tests. The measurements of thermal and electrical conductivity resulted in a selected composition with promising ohmic heating capability. As a preliminary assessment of the self-healing ability of the above samples, artificial cracks were introduced on the surface of the samples and SEM analysis took place at the crack location before and after applying voltage as a measure of the effectiveness of the material remelting due to the Joule effect. Results indicate a promising material response with a partial restoration of artificial cracks.