Self-healing of transverse cracks in cross-ply composites using a microencapsulated solventbased healing system

S. Y. Kim, N. R. Sottos, Scott R White

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Autonomous healing of transverse cracks in cross-ply composites was achieved using a self-healing prepreg which contains microcapsules containing a solvent-based healing agent. A self-healing prepreg material was first produced and it enables production of composites with high fiber volume fraction as well as uniform microcapsule distribution. The self-healing performance of this material system was examined in this study. The self-healing prepreg consists of E-glass fiber, EPON 862 resin, and an EPIKURE 3274 hardener together with ca. 3 pm diameter microcapsules. The microcapsules contain ethyl phenylacetate (EPA) and EPON 862 resin coencapsulated as the healing agent. The cross-ply composite was fabricated by hot pressing layers of self-healing prepreg in a stacking sequence of [0/905]s. Uniaxial tensile loading was applied to the cross-ply specimen, generating multiple transverse cracks in the 90° layers. The stress-strain behavior was measured during the initial (virgin) test and compared to subsequent loading cycles after healing. Transverse cracks of the composite led microcapsules to rupture and their healing agents were released into the crack plane where the agents swell the matrix and initiate further curing. Healing performance of the composite was assessed through stiffness recovery after damage. Examination of the fracture morphology by fluorescent confocal microscope and scanning electron microscope revealed further evidence of a released healing agent in the crack plane and healed transverse cracks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the American Society for Composites - 29th Technical Conference, ASC 2014; 16th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials; ASTM-D30 Meeting
PublisherDEStech Publications
ISBN (Electronic)9781605951249
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event29th Annual Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites, ASC 2014; 16th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials; ASTM-D30 Meeting - La Jolla, San Diego, United States
Duration: Sep 8 2014Sep 10 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of the American Society for Composites - 29th Technical Conference, ASC 2014; 16th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials; ASTM-D30 Meeting

Other

Other29th Annual Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites, ASC 2014; 16th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials; ASTM-D30 Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLa Jolla, San Diego
Period9/8/149/10/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites

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