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Prolonged in situ self-healing in structural composites via thermo-reversible entanglement

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander D. Snyder

    (North Carolina State University (NCSU))

  • Zachary J. Phillips

    (North Carolina State University)

  • Jack S. Turicek

    (North Carolina State University (NCSU))

  • Charles E. Diesendruck

    (Technion-Israel Institute of Technology)

  • Kalyana B. Nakshatrala

    (University of Houston (UH))

  • Jason F. Patrick

    (North Carolina State University (NCSU)
    North Carolina State University)

Abstract

Natural processes continuously degrade a material’s performance throughout its life cycle. An emerging class of synthetic self-healing polymers and composites possess property-retaining functions with the promise of longer lifetimes. But sustained in-service repair of structural fiber-reinforced composites remains unfulfilled due to material heterogeneity and thermodynamic barriers in commonly cross-linked polymer-matrix constituents. Overcoming these inherent challenges for mechanical self-recovery is vital to extend in-service operation and attain widespread adoption of such bioinspired structural materials. Here we transcend existing obstacles and report a fiber-composite capable of minute-scale and prolonged in situ healing — 100 cycles: an order of magnitude higher than prior studies. By 3D printing a mendable thermoplastic onto woven glass/carbon fiber reinforcement and co-laminating with electrically resistive heater interlayers, we achieve in situ thermal remending of internal delamination via dynamic bond re-association. Full fracture recovery occurs below the glass-transition temperature of the thermoset epoxy-matrix composite, thus preserving stiffness during and after repair. A discovery of chemically driven improvement in thermal remending of glass- over carbon-fiber composites is also revealed. The marked lifetime extension offered by this self-healing strategy mitigates costly maintenance, facilitates repair of difficult-to-access structures (e.g., wind-turbine blades), and reduces part replacement, thereby benefiting economy and environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander D. Snyder & Zachary J. Phillips & Jack S. Turicek & Charles E. Diesendruck & Kalyana B. Nakshatrala & Jason F. Patrick, 2022. "Prolonged in situ self-healing in structural composites via thermo-reversible entanglement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33936-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33936-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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