Composites are used in the F/A 18 which has 50% of its skin in composite material. Other planes with high composite usage are the F-18, the B-1B bomber, F-14A, F-a6 and Navy V-22. The use of composites in airplane components provides significant weightreduction (40%) over metals. Reliability, in an… More

In self-repairing composites, usually liquid chemicals are contained inside a fiber or bead vessel that is embedded inside the polymer composite matrix or laminate. Damage such as an impact or fatigue microcracking causes the breaking of the vessel, release of internal chemicals into the damage site… More

The proposed innovation is a multifunctional smart self sensing and self repairing composite that provides shielding. It addresses the two basic risk issues that are constraining composite use: durability and confidence in repairs so that uncertainty and risk are reduced. Self-sensing/self-repairing… More

Most composite armor systems are vlunerable to the damage if there are repeated attacks on the materials because the materials absorb the energy by breaking up internally. The next impact event can be disastrous. Even the most protective have plies which delaminate and fiber weaves that break, and… More