Abstract
Impact damage can significantly reduce the strength of composite sandwich panels, giving rise to large factors of safety in design. A self-healing sandwich panel was designed and manufactured. Specimens were tested in edgewise compression-after-impact to prove the concept. The self-healing system consists of vascular networks carrying the two liquid components of an epoxy resin system. After damage and autonomous self-healing, the specimens could be restored to their undamaged strength. Key influences on healing efficiency, and the need for further improvements in reliability were identified. A simple specific strength analysis suggested that the mass penalty of self-healing could, in some cases, be offset by the improved design allowables permitted.
| Translated title of the contribution | Self-healing sandwich panels: restoration of compressive strength after impact |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Pages (from-to) | 3171 - 3177 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Composites Science and Technology |
| Volume | 68 |
| Issue number | 15-16 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2008 |