Autonomic healing of carbon fiber/epoxy interfaces

Amanda R. Jones, Alicia Cintora, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A maximum of 91% recovery of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) is achieved for carbon fiber/epoxy interfaces functionalized with capsules containing reactive epoxy resin and ethyl phenyl acetate (EPA). We find a binder is necessary to improve the retention of capsules on the carbon fiber surface. Two different methods for applying the binder to the carbon fiber surface are investigated. Healing efficiency is assessed by recovery of IFSS of a single functionalized fiber embedded in a microdroplet of epoxy. Debonding of the fiber/matrix interface ruptures the capsules, releasing resin and EPA solvent into the crack plane. The solvent swells the matrix, initiating transport of residual amine functionality from the matrix for further curing with the epoxy resin delivered to the crack plane. The two binder protocols produce comparable results, both yielding higher recovery of IFSS than samples prepared without a binder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6033-6039
Number of pages7
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume6
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 14 2014

Keywords

  • capsule
  • fiber/matrix bond
  • polymer matrix composite (PMC)
  • self-healing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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