Self-healing of spread carbon fiber/epoxy laminates and effect of addition of carbon nanomaterials on the strength recovery

Abstract

This study examines interlaminar shear strength and self-healing of spread carbon fiber (SCF)/epoxy (EP) laminates. Self-healing is accomplished by incorporating a microencapsulated healing agent and catalyst within the epoxy matrix. Short beam shear specimens of self-healing SCF/EP laminates were prepared and tested. The healing efficiency was evaluated by the strain energies of virgin and healed specimens. The effect of addition of carbon nanomaterials to the matrix on the apparent interlaminar shear strength and the healing efficiency are discussed. The damage area of the healed specimens was also examined by an optical microscope.