Visualization and Self-Healing of Damage in Spread Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates Containing Microcapsules

Abstract

Damage behavior of spread carbon fiber (SCF)/epoxy (EP) laminates containing microcapsules for self-healing was investigated experimentally. The SCF/EP laminates with the microcapsules containing a healing agent mixed with a UV fluorescent dye were fabricated. The apparent interlaminar shear strength and the healing efficiency of the laminates were evaluated by short beam shear tests. Damage areas of tested specimens were observed under UV light to investigate the relation between the damage behavior and the strength recovery of the laminates. Results showed that the cracks propagating through microcapsules could be visually observed under UV light because the healing agent containing the UV fluorescent dye flowed out from broken microcapsules into cracks. It can be considered that the damage behavior of the laminates affected the apparent interlaminar shear strength and the healing efficiency.