Bioinspired Vasculatures for Self-Healing Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites

Self-healing in fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is an active area of research, principally aimed at restoring the losses in mechanical strength associated with impact induced damage. This bioinspired function may be imparted upon a composite structure via the embedment of a vasculature that is capable of delivering functional agents from an external reservoir to regions of internal damage. A simple segregated vasculature design incorporated into a FRP via a ‘lost wax’ process was found to facilitate a self-healing function which resulted in an outstanding recovery (≥97%) in post-impact compression strength. The process involved infusion of a healing resin through the vascule channels. Resin egress from the backface damage, ultrasonic C-scan testing and microscopic evaluation all provide evidence that sufficient vascule-damage connectivity exists to confer a reliable and efficient self-healing function.