Biomimetic self-healing of advanced composite structures using hollow glass fibres

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 704 - 710
• Main Authors: Trask, R S, Bond, I P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.06.2006; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Measurement and testing methods; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Servo and control equipment; robots; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; Biomimetics; Polymer fibers; Recovery(properties); Fiber reinforced material; Surface wave; Fibre reinforced plastics; Reinforced plastics; Glass fiber; Repair; Composite material; Reinforced structure; Reinforced material
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/15/3/005

The use of functional repair components stored inside hollow reinforcing fibres is being considered as a self-repair system for future composite structures. The incorporation of a self-healing capability within a variety of materials, including fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs), has been investigated by a number of workers previously. This paper considers the placement of self-healing plies within an FRP to mitigate damage occurrence and restore mechanical strength. The flexural strength results indicate that the inclusion of hollow fibres results in an initial strength reduction of 16% from a baseline FRP laminate. However, the effect of impact damage on the performance of the baseline FRP laminate and the laminate containing the hollow fibre layers was comparable, with a flexural strength typically 72-74% of the undamaged state. Self-healing of the damage site saw the laminate recover 87% of the undamaged baseline FRP laminate's strength. This study provides clear evidence that an FRP laminate containing hollow fibre layers can successfully self-heal. This result suggests that biomimetic repair is now possible for advanced composite structures.