There is set forth herein a silicon-based patch formulation comprising about 25 to 66 percent by volume of a solvent; about 4 to 10 percent by volume of a silicon-comprising binding material; and about 30 to 65 percent by volume of a patching material, the patching material comprising particles having one or more non-actinide Group IIIA elements, wherein a molar ratio of the one or more non-actinide Group IIIA elements to silicon within the patch formulation is about 0.95 to 1.25.