Simultaneous improvement of heating efficiency and mechanical strength of a self-healing thermoplastic polymer by hybridizing magnetic particles with conductive fibres
Sha Zhao, Xinying Cheng, Yang Zhou, Andrew N. Rider, Andrew D.M. Charles, Wenkai Chang, Shuhua Peng, May Lim, Victoria Timchenko, Chunhui Wang
Abstract
Radio-Frequency (RF) induction heating is a versatile in-situ method for contactless heating of structures by utilizing either magnetic hysteresis loss or eddy-current loss mechanism. Achieving high heating efficiency without degrading mechanical properties is a major challenge. Herein, a RF induction compatible self-healing composite was developed by hybridizing iron oxides (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with carbon fibre veils (CFVs) in poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA), which could possess both high magnetic and electrical properties. Owing to the multiscale conductive networks built by Fe3O4 nanoparticles and CFVs, the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite was found to be higher than the linear combination of the individual contributions, thus creating a synergistic improvement in electrical conductivity and heating efficiency. Furthermore, single lap shear test results demonstrated that the combination of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and CFVs could significantly improve the bonding strength of EMAA polymer. Therefore, the hybridization of magnetic particles with conductive fibres offers a promising technology for a wide range of applications, such as self-healing, reversable bonding, and multiple use bonded composites.