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Polymers and Polymer Composites

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF-HEALING CARBON FIBER-EPOXY COMPOSITE STITCHED WITH MENDABLE POLYMER FIBER

March 1, 2014 By: Yang T; Du Y; Li Z M; Wang C H Research article

Title: MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF-HEALING CARBON FIBER-EPOXY COMPOSITE STITCHED WITH MENDABLE POLYMER FIBER
Page Range: p.329-336
Author(s): Yang T; Du Y; Li Z M; Wang C H
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 22
Issue No: No. 3

Abstract
Carbon fibre composites are self-healed by advance embedding of repairing agents in the composites. However, the repairing agent will influence the mechanical properties of the carbon fibre composites. In this study, poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) filaments were stitched into carbon fibre-epoxy laminates to create a three-dimensional (3D) self-healing fibre system. Specimens with unmodified and self-healing laminates were manufactured. The mechanical properties of the carbon fibre-epoxy composite stitched with mendable polymer fibre for self-healing and unmodified laminates were compared experimentally. Results from the double cantilever beam test revealed that the stitched EMAA fibres increased the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminate by ~120%. However, short-beam shear (SBS) strength of the composite laminates with the healing agents was slightly degraded, with a 37% reduction in the average SBS strength. The compressive-after-impact assessment showed that the strength was reduced by 6.6%. C-Scan revealed the 3D inter-connected self-healing EMAA network within the composite laminates. 25 Refs.

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