Review of current strategies to induce self-healing behaviour in fibre reinforced polymer based composites

Abstract

This paper addresses the various strategies to induce self-healing behaviour in fibre reinforced polymer based composites. A distinction is made between the extrinsic and intrinsic healing strategies. These strategies can be applied at the level of the fibre, the fibre/matrix interface or at the level of the matrix. It is shown that the degree of healing depends on the type of damage and the testing mode used and examples are given both for extrinsic and for intrinsic healing systems. The conclusion is drawn that self-healing in fibre reinforced composites is possible yet unlikely to become a commercial reality in the near future.

Keywords:

• Self-healing
• Fibre reinforced composites
• Damage
• Extrinsic healing
• Intrinsic healing

Acknowledgements

The NovAM authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the European Seventh Framework NMP program under grant agreements 314768 and 309450-2. All authors acknowledge the sustained support from the Dutch National IOP program on self-healing materials for their work in various grants.