Healable bio-inspired helicoidal laminates. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, J.L.; Lee, H.P.; Tay, T.E.; Tan, V.B.C.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 137(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: A. Laminates -- A. Hybrid -- C. Damage mechanics -- Bio-inspired composite healing; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.106024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: It is challenging to recover the strength of fiber-reinforced laminates after they have suffered severe damage that normally results in fiber rupture. Most non-invasive repairs can only effectively mend delamination and matrix cracks. Instead of attempting to heal the damaged fiber, this study presents a bioinspired laminate design that diverts fiber damage into matrix split to facilitate recovery even in the event of a catastrophic failure. In this study, hybrid carbon fiber reinforced laminated systems fabricated from alternating layers of thermoplastic and epoxy based prepregs are investigated. Other than being able to sustain higher out-of-plane loads than the common cross-ply laminates, it is also observed that significantly less fiber damage occurs for helicoidal laminates as compared to cross-ply laminates. Helicoidal laminates with small inter-ply angles are able to recover up to 91% of their out-of-plane loading strength whereas only 56% of the strength is restored for cross-ply laminates.