Self-Healing Non-Catalytic Multifunctional Composite Structures

Multifunctional materials would alleviate longstanding problems in composite structures associated with multiple types of damage mechanisms such as mechanical/thermal fatigue, microcracking, and impact. CU Aerospace (CUA) proposes an innovative hybrid self-healing composite consisting of a two-part healing agent that is stored in microcapsules and hollow glass fibers (HGF), which are released whenever the matrix is damaged. The healing agents then mix and flow into the cracks where they polymerize in place, effectively sealing the cracks and allowing the material to recover structural function. Repair of damage is accomplished automatically and without human intervention, improving performance and service-life. The team of CUA and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will develop this self-healing system for epoxy based structural composites. In addition, although epoxy will be the matrix of interest for Phase I, CUA will investigate the possibility of utilizing other self-healing matrix materials including cyanate esters, polyimides, and bismaleimides.