Self-healing of impact damage in vascular fiber-reinforced composites

Abstract

Vascular fiber-reinforced composites mimic biological systems to allow pluripotent multifunctional behavior in synthetic engineering materials. In this dissertation, methods are explored for recovering mechanical performance of a composite material after an out-of-plane impact event using vascular self-healing technologies. To date, the critical damage modes which occur during out-of-plane impact that most significantly contribute to reductions in post-impact performance have not been identified and methods for delivering healing agents to those critical regions using internal vascular networks has not been explored. In this dissertation, out-of-plane impact damage is quantified and correlated with reductions in post-impact mechanical performance. Additionally, healing of impact-induced damage is demonstrated using vascular delivery of epoxy and amine based agents. An alternate healing agent chemistry for potential use in vascular healing schemes is also discussed. This work is the first to detail methods for healing impact-induced damage in vascular composites using segregated healing agent components and paves the way for the adoption of self-healing vascular materials in commercial applications.