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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
This work focuses on utilizing the resources and know-how in the research groups of Prof. Patrick Mensah, Prof. Samuel Ibekwe, and Prof. Guoqiang Li, all in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering at Southern University, to support NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and to advance important thrust areas relating to self-healing
of damage in aerospace lightweight polymer composite structures. This research topic is identified by consulting with our partners, Dr. Enrique Jackson and Mr. Brett Smith, at
NASA MSFC. It has been well-known that laminated composites have been widely used in lightweight aerospace structures due to their high specific strength and stiffness, tailor-ability and corrosion resistance. However, laminated composites are vulnerable to out-of-plane impact damage, that even low velocity impact events could undermine it. Various types of damages can be created under a low velocity impact, most often, delamination. If the delamination is not healed, significant reduction in in-plane mechanical properties will be induced. Z-pins have been widely used to help in resisting delamination. While this method can mitigate delamination, it cannot fully eliminate it. Therefore, delamination selfhealing is highly desired. Based on the biomimetic close-then-heal (CTH) strategy patented by the investigators, this project proposes to use sinusoidal shape memory alloy
(SMA) z-pins to assist in delamination closing, and to use a multifunctional thermoset polymer developed by the investigators as the polymer matrix. This polymer has high
strength, high stiffness, excellent shape memory effect, and is ultraviolet (UV) curable, self-healable and recyclable, and 3D printable. The role played by the sinusoidal SMA zpins
are three-fold: reducing delamination, closing delamination by shape memory effect, and heating the laminate by electricity during the healing process. We are optimistic that
combination of the sinusoidal SMA z-pins and the multifunctional polymer will achieve the enumerated objectives.In this project, four tasks have been identified as essentials: i) selection of raw materials (polymer, fiber, and SMA), ii) fabrication of sinusoidal SMA z-pinned composite laminates, iii) low velocity impact tests and compression after impact tests, and iv) selfhealing and healing efficiency tests. Success of this project will benefit specific NASA objectives for space exploration by providing lightweight structures with damage self-healing capability. Furthermore, this work will benefit the research mission of Southern University and further the value of existing intellectual property, including issued and pending U.S. patents covering selfhealing of polymer composites structures. It will also enhance the education mission of Southern University by directly involving minority graduate and undergraduate students in related research.
The primary objective of this project is to fabricate and study a UV curable shape memory polymer matrix reinforced by hybrid shape memory alloy (Flexinol) wires, glass fibers and carbon fibers for the autonomous healing of cracks in lightweight, aerospace-grade materials systems to support NASA technology focus area–Advanced manufacturing; structures and materials.
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