Mechanical behavior of aeronautical composites containing self-healing microcapsules

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Purpose Over the last decades, self-healing materials based on polymers are attracting increasing interest due to their potential for detecting and “autonomically” healing damage. The use of embedded self-healing microcapsules represents one of the most popular self-healing concepts. Yet, extensive investigations are still needed to convince on the efficiency of the above concept. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In the present work, the effect of embedded self-healing microcapsules on the ILSS behavior of carbon fiber reinforced composite materials has been studied. Moreover, the self-healing efficiency has been assessed. The results of the mechanical tests were discussed supported by scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as by Attenuated Total Reflection–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) analyses. Findings The results indicate a general trend of a degraded mechanical behavior of the enhanced materials, as the microcapsules exhibit a non-uniform dispersion and form agglomerations which act as internal defects. A remarkable value of the self-healing efficiency has been found for materials with limited damage, e.g. matrix micro-cracks. However, for significant damage, in terms of large matrix cracks and delaminations as well as fiber breakages, the self-healing efficiency is limited. Originality/value The results obtained by SEM analysis as well as by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy constitute a strong indication that the self-healing mechanism has been activated. However, further investigation should be conducted in order to provide definite evidence.