Design Of Advanced Self-Healing Mechanisms In Fiber Reinforced Composites
Topic(s) : Multifunctional and smart composites
Co-authors :
Daniele RIGOTTI (ITALY), Davide PERIN (ITALY), Andrea DORIGATO (ITALY), Alessandro PEGORETTI (ITALY)Abstract :
The self-healing capability, defined as the capacity to repair damages and fully or partially restore lost properties and functions, has been demonstrated in various polymer types, including thermoplastics, elastomers, and thermosets. Thermoplastic polymers exhibit healing by molecular re-entanglement processes across broken surfaces when heated above their melting temperature. In recent years, significant efforts have been dedicated to developing new healing systems for thermosetting polymers.
This presentation focuses on the development of innovative self-healing materials capable of partially restoring their mechanical properties under conditions of prolonged periodic loading and unloading, typical of aerospace applications. Composite materials used in such applications often exhibit defects due to their original inhomogeneity, leading to micro-cracking and delamination at ply interfaces.
Electrospinning was employed to deposit a thin polycaprolactone (PCL) layer on carbon fiber fabric, producing fiber-reinforced composites with self-healing capability. These hybrid reinforcements were used to develop novel structural composites with electro-activated self-healing properties, where PCL served as an intrinsic healing agent. Healing efficiency tests showed that the laminate with 10 wt% PCL content exhibited up to 31% healing efficiency. A subsequent study focused on carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with self-healing action achieved through jet-spun cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) mesh directly deposited on carbon fiber plies. Healing efficiency tests demonstrated that the laminate with 8 wt% COC content reported a healing efficiency of 9.4%, attributed to poor adhesion between COC and EP matrix.
Continuing advancements in this field are currently focused on the integration of cutting-edge 3D printing techniques and the deposition of highly accurate patterns of thermoplastic materials onto carbon fibers prior to the impregnation process. This forward-looking approach aims to push the boundaries of material design and enhance the structural properties of composite materials used in various applications. The utilization of 3D printing technology enables the creation of intricate and customized patterns, ensuring a precise and controlled application of thermoplastic materials onto the carbon fiber matrix. This tailored deposition process holds the potential to optimize the distribution of thermoplastics, enhancing the overall performance and functionality of the resulting composite structures.
The emphasis on precise deposition onto carbon fibers before the impregnation stage signifies a strategic approach to enhance the bonding between the thermoplastic layer and the carbon fiber matrix. This targeted application seeks to maximize the synergistic effects between the chosen thermoplastics and carbon fibers, ultimately resulting in a composite material with improved mechanical, thermal, and self-healing properties.
This presentation focuses on the development of innovative self-healing materials capable of partially restoring their mechanical properties under conditions of prolonged periodic loading and unloading, typical of aerospace applications. Composite materials used in such applications often exhibit defects due to their original inhomogeneity, leading to micro-cracking and delamination at ply interfaces.
Electrospinning was employed to deposit a thin polycaprolactone (PCL) layer on carbon fiber fabric, producing fiber-reinforced composites with self-healing capability. These hybrid reinforcements were used to develop novel structural composites with electro-activated self-healing properties, where PCL served as an intrinsic healing agent. Healing efficiency tests showed that the laminate with 10 wt% PCL content exhibited up to 31% healing efficiency. A subsequent study focused on carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with self-healing action achieved through jet-spun cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) mesh directly deposited on carbon fiber plies. Healing efficiency tests demonstrated that the laminate with 8 wt% COC content reported a healing efficiency of 9.4%, attributed to poor adhesion between COC and EP matrix.
Continuing advancements in this field are currently focused on the integration of cutting-edge 3D printing techniques and the deposition of highly accurate patterns of thermoplastic materials onto carbon fibers prior to the impregnation process. This forward-looking approach aims to push the boundaries of material design and enhance the structural properties of composite materials used in various applications. The utilization of 3D printing technology enables the creation of intricate and customized patterns, ensuring a precise and controlled application of thermoplastic materials onto the carbon fiber matrix. This tailored deposition process holds the potential to optimize the distribution of thermoplastics, enhancing the overall performance and functionality of the resulting composite structures.
The emphasis on precise deposition onto carbon fibers before the impregnation stage signifies a strategic approach to enhance the bonding between the thermoplastic layer and the carbon fiber matrix. This targeted application seeks to maximize the synergistic effects between the chosen thermoplastics and carbon fibers, ultimately resulting in a composite material with improved mechanical, thermal, and self-healing properties.