Tensile properties and damage evolution in vascular 3D woven glass/epoxy composites

Vascularization enables multifunctional composites capable of self-healing, thermal regulation, electrical and magnetic modulation, and damage sensing. In this study, the effect of vascular channels on the in-plane tensile properties and damage progression of three-dimensional orthogonally woven textile composites is examined. Vascular channels are manufactured by Vaporization of Sacrificial Components (VaSC). Sacrificial fibers composed of poly(lactic acid) treated with tin(II) oxalate catalyst are integrated into 3D woven glass fiber preforms. Composites with straight channel and undulating wave-shaped channel architectures are created and tested in both longitudinal and transverse orientations. Damage evolution is monitored by acoustic emission and optical microscopy. Vascular channels have minimal effect on tensile behavior when fiber alignment is unaltered, while reductions in strength and modulus and increased crack density occur when channels distort the reinforcement fiber architecture. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.