A multifunctional hybrid extrinsic–intrinsic self-healing laminated composites

Abstract Damage healing in fiber reinforced thermoset polymer composites has been generally divided into intrinsic healing by the polymer itself and extrinsic healing by incorporation of external healing agent. In this study, we propose to use a hybrid extrinsic-intrinsic self-healing strategy to heal delamination in laminated composite induced by low velocity impact. Especially, we propose to use an intrinsic self-healing thermoset vitrimer as an external healing agent, to heal delamination in laminated thermoset polymer composites. To this purpose, we designed and synthesized a new vitrimer, machined it into powders, and strategically sprayed a layer of vitrimer powders at the interface between the laminas during manufacturing. Also, a thermoset shape memory polymer with fire-proof property was used as the matrix. As a result, incorporation of about 3% by volume of vitrimer powders made the laminate exhibit multifunctionalities such as repeated delamination healing, excellent shape memory effect, improved toughness and impact tolerance, and decent fire-proof properties. In particular, the novel vitrimer powder imparted the laminate with first cycle and second cycle delamination healing efficiencies of 98.06% and 85.93%, respectively. The laminate also exhibited high recovery stress of 65.6 MPa. This multifunctional composite laminate has a great potential in various engineering applications, for example, actuators, robotics, deployable structures, and smart fire-proof structures.