A micromechanical fracture analysis to investigate the effect of healing particles on the overall mechanical response of a self-healing particulate composite

A computational fracture analysis is conducted on a self-healing particulate composite employing a finite element model of an actual microstructure. The key objective is to quantify the effects of the actual morphology and the fracture properties of the healing particles on the overall mechanical behaviour of the (MoSi2) particle-dispersed...

Modelling fracture and healing in particulate composite systems

Research in the field of self-healing materials gained significant attention in the last decade owing to its promise of enhanced durability of the material components in engineering applications. Though the research has led to several successful demonstrations, extensive experimental tests will be required for a successful demonstration. Further...

Effect of pre-existing microstructural defects on elastic and fracture properties of composites

The objective of this research is to explore the effect of microstructural defects on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composites. In particular, two kinds of defects are considered in the study, namely, matrix pores and interface precracks. Three-dimensional (3-D) finite element analyses are conducted on Representative Volume...

Healing particles in self-healing thermal barrier coatings

Crack healing in ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) may be realized by embedding Mo-Si based particles in the thermal barrier coating. Upon cracking, these particles are exposed to oxygen that permeates through the top layer and the crack gap is filled with SiO2 which is produced from oxidation at high temperature. Due to its amorphous...

Self-healing thermal barrier coatings; with application to gas turbine engines

Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) systems have been applied in turbine engines for aerospace and power plants since the beginning of the 1980s to increase the energy efficiency of the engine, by allowing for higher operation temperatures. TBC systems on average need to be replaced about four times during the lifetime of an aircraft. Hence, life...