Interactions between propagating cracks and bioinspired self-healing vascules embedded in glass fibre reinforced composites

C.J. Norris (1) , R.S. Trask (1) , I.P. Bond (1)

1 Department of Aerospace Engineering

This study considers the embedment of a bioinspired vasculature within a composite structure that is capable of delivering functional agents from an external reservoir to regions of internal damage. Breach of the vascules, by propagating cracks, is a crucial pre-requisite for such a self-healing system to be activated. Two segregated vascule fabrication techniques are demonstrated, and their interactions with propagating Mode I and II cracks determined. The vascule fabrication route adopted played a significant role on the resulting laminate morphology which in-turn dictated the crack-vascule interactions. Embedment of the vascules did not lower the Mode I or II fracture toughness of the host laminate, with vascules orientated transverse to the crack propagation direction leading to significant increases in G and G through crack arrest. Large resin pockets were found to redirect the crack around the vascules under Mode II conditions, therefore, it is recommended to avoid this configuration for self-healing applications.

Mots clés: Smart Materials (A); Fracture Toughness (B); Damage Tolerance (D); Self-healing

Domaines: Matériaux

C.J. Norris, R.S. Trask, I.P. Bond. Interactions between propagating cracks and bioinspired self-healing vascules embedded in glass fibre reinforced composites. Composites Science and Technology, 2011, 71 (6), pp.847. ⟨10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.01.027⟩. ⟨hal-00736297⟩