Abstract
Metal triflates are employed as catalytic curing agents for ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of epoxy resin to facilitate self-healing in a high performance, fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material. Laminates manufactured using existing industrial methods contain an embedded bio-inspired series of microvascular channels for the delivery of self-healing agent to exposed fractured crack planes. Thermal cure analysis and mechanical testing is employed to characterise the self-healed polymer by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) test specimen geometry. After initial Mode I crack opening displacement unloaded samples are injected with Lewis acid catalysed epoxy self-healing agent (SHA) and left to cure. Strong adhesive compatibility with the host matrix confers full recovery of mechanical properties (>99% healing).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 4511-4522 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2013 |
| Event | 19th International Conference on Composite Materials, ICCM 2013 - Montreal, Canada Duration: 28 Jul 2013 → 2 Aug 2013 |
Conference
| Conference | 19th International Conference on Composite Materials, ICCM 2013 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Montreal |
| Period | 28/07/13 → 2/08/13 |
Keywords
- Double cantilever beam
- Fibre reinforced polymer
- Ring-opening polymerisation
- Room temperature ionic liquid
- Scandium triflate
- Self-healing