Fabrication and Flexural Performance of Self-Healing Composites with Micro-Vascular Channels

Abstract

Composite materials play an important role in weight reduction, making them suitable for structural applications including aircraft components. To account for efficiency losses caused by impact, existing damage models often incorporate large safety margins, which can result in overweight and less effective structures. Implementing self-healing capabilities is another way to reduce sensitivity to impact damage. This work focuses on the developing of self-healing composite materials and demonstrating how strength is recovered when resin-filled hollow fibres are dispersed at specific intervals within the composite. The primary goal is to minimise loss of mechanical properties while maximising efficiency of healing events. In this research, the specimens of composite material were created both with and without micro-vascular channels. The specimens with micro-vascular channels were filled with a resin and hardener mixture. Both types of specimens were then subjected to a flexural test to assess the loss in strength. The results showed a 6.7% and 14.3% loss in flexural strength of the self-healing composite materials compared to a control specimen. Due to this minimal loss, these materials hold potential for a wide application. In aerospace, they could be used in fuselage and aerostructures, engine blades, corrosion protection coatings, smart paints, and impact-resistant space structures.