Addition of poly (ethylene-co-acid-meacrylic) (EMAA) as a healing agent in glass fiber-epoxy composites with damage by impact
Composites; Self-healing, Impact, EMAA
Materials with self-healing mechanism offer great potential for new scientific and technological developments. This is a research area with great possibilities for advances in the field of materials science and engineering. In this sense, the present work aims at the manufacture and characterization of a composite material, additive with a thermoplastic repair agent, where the ability to heal localized damage and delamination was evaluated. This repair is activated via heat supply, through an external source, and promotes increased mobility of the thermoplastic agent, poly (ethylene-co-acid-methacrylic) (EMAA). The damage was performed on the specimens in a controlled manner, via impact machine by free fall, thus being characterized as low speed impact. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) allowed evaluation of chemical interactions between the epoxy matrix and the repair agent, post fabrication and post-repair cycle. Visual inspection was employed to evaluate affected areas, to compare the behavior of specimens under the influence of impact energy and EMAA effect, in relation to the filling of cracks and energy absorption. Finally, the mechanical post-impact compression test (CAI) was performed to evaluate whether there was recovery of properties after repair.