Self-healing composite keeps parts in service

The team believes the latest technology can significantly extend the lifespan of structural components such as wind-turbine blades and aircraft wings. Their findings are detailed in Nature Communications.

In a statement, Jason Patrick, corresponding author of the research paper and an assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at North Carolina State University, said: “Researchers have developed a variety of self-healing materials, but previous strategies for self-healing composites have faced two practical challenges.

“First, the materials often need to be removed from service in order to heal. For instance, some require heating in an oven, which can’t be done for large components or while a given part is in use. Second, the self-healing only works for a limited period. For example, the material might be able to heal a few times, after which its self-repairing properties would significantly diminish. We’ve come up with an approach that addresses both of those challenges in a meaningful way, while retaining the strength and other performance characteristics of structural fibre-composites.”