IN-SITU HEALING OF STATIC AND FATIGUE CRACK IN THERMOSET FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITES I [Poster #2]

In this study, static fracture experiments under mode-I and mixed mode loading, and fatigue testing under mode-I loading were carried out on double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens, and subsequent healing of the delamination was investigated. Thermoplastic healants dispersed in a thermoset CFRP composite were used to perform the healing, triggered through brief heating in an oven. It was observed from the test results that delaminations can be healed efficiently and the healing was found to be repeatable. As a result of healing, significant crack closure was observed and the fatigue crack growth rate was considerably reduced. These findings can be helpful in extending the service life of laminated composites.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT