Optimizing the self- healing behavior of hollow glass fibers reinforced epoxy matrix composite

In this research work, the self-healing behavior of epoxy matrix composite which reinforced by hollow glass fibers as self-healing container was investigated. For doing this, in first step, the hollow glass fibers were filled with the epoxy resin and hardener by creating a partial vacuum. Then, the filled hollow glass fibers with different percent of 1, 3 and 5 vol.% were embedded in the epoxy matrix. In the next step, by applying press, the destruction was created in these composites. Then, these destructed composites were healed at ambient temperature at different times of 2, 4, 7 and 14 days. Then, for accessing to the optimum healing time and percentage of hollow fibers in composite, the flexural test was applied in these composites. In the final step, the mechanical properties of composite with the optimum healing time and percentage of reinforcement were evaluated via tensile, flexural and impact exams. The obtained results show that the optimum percentage of hollow fibers and time for healing process are 3 vol.% and 7 days. Also, the healing efficiency of composite in optimum conditions (3 vol.% hollow fibers and 7 days healing time) at tensile, flexural and impact exams were approximately 77, 54 and 92 % respectively.