Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Optimisation of epoxy blends for use in extrinsic self-healing fibre-reinforced composites

Everitt, Daniel T., Luterbacher, Rafael, Coope, Tim S., Trask, Richard S., Wass, Duncan F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0356-7067 and Bond, Ian P. 2015. Optimisation of epoxy blends for use in extrinsic self-healing fibre-reinforced composites. Polymer 69 , pp. 283-292. 10.1016/j.polymer.2015.02.047

[thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S0032386115002165-main.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

A range of epoxy blends were investigated to determine their mechanical properties and suitability for use as healing agents for the repair of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Key requirements for an effective healing agent are low viscosity, and good mechanical performance. A base epoxy resin was selected and blended with a variety of diluents and a toughening agent, and the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting polymers were investigated. Single lap shear strengths of up to 139% of the base epoxy values were demonstrated, while double cantilever beam testing showed specimens healed with optimised epoxy blends can provide recoveries in fracture toughness of up to 269%, compared to 56% in specimens healed with the base epoxy resin. Cross-ply FRP laminate tensile specimens were used to highlight the potential to recover stiffness decay caused by intraply cracking. Following infusion of the damage via embedded vascules, the toughened epoxies were capable of providing complete recovery of stiffness.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Chemistry
Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI)
Publisher: Elsevier
ISSN: 0032-3861
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 17 October 2018
Date of Acceptance: 26 February 2015
Last Modified: 04 May 2023 23:14
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/115954

Citation Data

Cited 23 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics