Elsevier

Composite Structures

Volume 279, 1 January 2022, 114780
Composite Structures

Double cantilever beam test and micro-computed tomography as evaluation tools for self-healing of CFRPs loaded with DCPD microcapsules

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114780Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Combination of 2D and 3D techniques for CFRPs’ integrity analysis and heal ability.

  • Surface restoration on micro composites from artificial scratch through SEM analysis.

  • Recovery rate up to 50% on damaged CFRP reinforced by SH-capsules through DCB test.

  • Isolation and study of crack by advanced functions of m-CT.

Abstract

In the present study, the healing efficiency of microcapsules containing dicyclopentadiene (DCDP) was investigated on carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) via morphological and mechanical characterisation. Micro-computed tomography (m-CT) has been used to observe in three dimensions (3D) the dynamic process of crack propagation and give CFRPs qualitative and quantitative structural and compositional information. Microcapsules with Poly(urea-formaldehyde) as shell and DCPD as healing agent in core were prepared by in situ polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion. The morphology and thermal properties of microcapsules were examined via Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Vacuum bagging was proved an efficient technique for the CFRPs’ manufacturing that microcapsules can endure. The morphology of heal progression of cracks, induced at the surface of microplastics, was observed through SEM, while for the mechanical response double cantilever beam (DCB) test was selected to evaluate heal efficiency. The reduction of the crack volume in the CFRPs internal structures was up to 45%, while the mechanical restoration exceeded 50% proving microcapsules’ efficiency.

Keywords

Self-healing Capsules
Healing Mechanism
Epoxy Composites
Microscopic techniques
2D and 3D analysis
DCB test

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