Experimental investigation on flexural properties of self-healing composites reinforced by shape memory strip

In this article, the flexural properties of self-healing smart composites reinforced by shape memory alloy strips are investigated experimentally using mechanical flexural tests. 5 groups of specimens consist of specimen without shape memory alloy (SMA) strip, specimen with one SMA strip without pre-strain, specimen with one SMA strip and 4% pre-strain, specimen with three SMA strips without pre-strain and, specimen with three SMA strips and 4% pre-strain. Short hollow glass fibers (SHGF) are embedded in all the mentioned specimens. The 25 wt. % of SHGF containing the resin and hardener were randomly distributed in the epoxy resin and the fibers/epoxy specimens were fabricated using hand layup technique. In order to determine the healing efficiency of the smart composites, the specimens were damaged initially and then subjected to flexural tests after a certain period of healing time. The influence of some effective parameters including healing time and the presence of SMA strip(s) on the healing efficiency of the smart composite was investigated. The healing efficiencies of 43.18% and 71.5% were achieved after three and seven days, respectively, for the specimens with embedded three SMA strips.