Multifunctional Self-Healing and Morphing Composites; Conference paper

摘要

Highly innovative work towards development of a new class of materials called 'Multifunctional Composites (MCs)' for multi-role structural aircraft skin applications possessing both self-healing and morphing functionality has been achieved. Proof of concept was demonstrated showing that a low volume-fraction (5-10%) of magnetic particles is sufficient for enabling self-healing of an approximate 150 micron x 5000 micron crack in a mendomer polymer using inductive heating. It was also demonstrated that a carbon-fiber- composites can be fabricated to morph using an apparent shape memory effect of the same mendomer that was used to demonstrate the self-healing. Studies of particle composition and mendomer were performed to determine the relative optimal material components for self-healing and morphing functionality. Department of Defense applications of the technology were articulated in collaboration with a major ballistic missile defense integrator. Future work is also briefly discussed.