Thermoplastic fibre stitching: A new self-healing method for carbon-epoxy composites

This paper presents an investigation into the delamination toughening and selfhealing properties of carbon-epoxy laminates using through-thickness stitches of mendable thermoplastic (poly[ethylene-co-(methacrylic acid)]). The effect of increasing stitch density on the improvement to the interlaminar fracture toughness and healing of mode I...

Damage redirection and healing in skin-stiffener debonding specimens under fatigue conditions

Locally stiffened or ‘stringer’ - skin composite structures are extensively used for lightweight applications in the aerospace industry. Due to localised stiffening, stress concentrations arise which can initiate damage e.g. debonding or delamination, within the composite structure. Critically, this damage can propagate under fatigue loading...