Smart and repeatable easy-repairing and self-sensing composites with enhanced mechanical performance for extended components life

Structural composites with smart functionalities of self-healing and self-sensing are particular interest in the fields aerospace, automotive, renewable energy. However, most current methodologies either require a relatively complex design healing network, or sacrifice initial mechanical thermal performance carbon fibre composite system after introducing agents. Herein, an extremely simple methodology based on commonly used thermoplastic interleaves has been demonstrated to achieve repeatable easy-repairing functionalities, alongside enhanced comparison unmodified fibre/epoxy system. Moreover, due high glass transition temperature thermoplastic, repairable shown have unchanged storage modulus up 80 °C, solving previous limitation epoxy matrix systems thermoplastics. High retention peak load (99%) decent recovery interlaminar fracture toughness (34%) was achieved. Most importantly, properties remained greater than four consecutive cycles damage healing. Repeatable in-situ sensing achieved piezoresistive method. This “new” discovery “old” approach, which is fully compatible manufacturing, may overcome existing conflicts between functions, providing new solution extend components’ service life towards more sustainable development sector.