Healable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites: Synchronous healing of matrix and interface damage

Abstract

Thermosetting composites are a range of high‐performance materials with important applications in multiple fields. However, inaccessible damage such as microcracks ingress from the environment may appear with long term use. Over time, the micro‐damage further expands and leads to material failure. The damage includes the interface damage and the matrix damage. Therefore, the healing technology of composites needs to respond and heal the micro‐damage of the interface and resin in the composites synchronously. In this work, siloxane dynamic bond was introduced into matrix and interface respectively. Specifically, a new type of crosslinker containing polysiloxane was synthesized and used to cure epoxy resin. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane was modified on the surface of carbon fibers (CFs) by sizing method. The prepared resin showed great mechanical properties and thermal stability, while the mechanical strength and surface activity of the CFs were also improved. Due to siloxane chain exchange reaction, matrix and interface could healing synchronously with good healing efficiency. Furthermore, the composites could retain about 65% of their original mechanical properties after healing multiple times. Composites realized synchronous healing of the resin matrix and the interface and laid foundation for extending the service life and performance of advanced resin‐based composites.

Interfacial tailoring of basalt fiber/epoxy composites by metal–organic framework based oil containers for promoting its mechanical and tribological properties

“…As a thermoset matrix for advanced engineering composites, epoxy resin (EP) exhibits a range of excellent properties, including high tensile strength, excellent dimensional stability, and good chemical resistance. [1][2][3] Today, EP materials are widely used in automotive, aviation, rail transportation, and construction. [4][5][6][7] However, neat EP suffers a lot from its brittleness, fatigue resistance, and poor tribology behavior.…”

Biomimetic construction of 3D needle‐punched CF/PEEK composites based on ladybug forewing structure for directional reinforcement

“…[1][2][3][4] Due to their exceptional specific strength and stiffness, carbon fiber reinforced composites in particular have become a study focus in the disciplines of aerospace and marine engineering in recent years. [5][6][7] Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK), a special engineering polymer material with good solvent resistance. 8 PEEK and PEEK composites also have well-known biocompatibility, inherent radiolucency, and chemical resistance, making them potential implant materials.…”

“…Because of their superior all‐around properties, fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are a good substitute for traditional homogeneous materials such as metals and ceramics 1–4 . Due to their exceptional specific strength and stiffness, carbon fiber reinforced composites in particular have become a study focus in the disciplines of aerospace and marine engineering in recent years 5–7 . Poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (PEEK), a special engineering polymer material with good solvent resistance 8 .…”

Designing a 3D structure and a self‐healing technique for advanced polymer composites with outstanding mechanical properties and healing ability

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] However, because of the low matrix toughness and the poor interfacial interaction between fiber and matrix, FRPs are more susceptible to defects and damages, leading to rapid growth cracks and the delamination behaviors and shortening the service life of FRPs. [11][12][13] Therefore, improving the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of FRPs and healing the damage are key issues for enhancing the service life of composites. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Previous studies have shown that developing a nanoparticle-modified matrix with improved toughness can enhance the mechanical properties of FRPs, 21 since the matrix is a key component of composites that can dominate the toughness of FRPs.…”