New Technology Questions The Integrity Of Current Composite Construction

[Larry Dighera]

This seems like a true step forward:

NEW TECHNOLOGY COULD DETECT AND FIX CRACKS IN COMPOSITES
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/976-full.html#196364)
A simple new technique could help to identify and repair small,
potentially dangerous cracks in high-performance aircraft wings
made of composite materials, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, in Troy, N.Y., have reported
(http://news.rpi.edu:80/update.do?artcenterkey=2321). The
scientists added a small amount of carbon nanotubes to the mix
when forming composite materials from epoxy resin and carbon
fiber. The tubes can electronically detect even the tiniest cracks
and then release materials that will repair the problem, with a
70-percent recovery in strength. The process would improve the
life span, integrity and safety of composites, the researchers
said. "What's novel about this application is that we're using
carbon nanotubes not just to detect the crack, but also to heal
the crack," said principal scientist Nikhil Koratkar. "We use the
nanotubes to create localized heat, which melts the healing agent,
and that's what cures the crack."

And it's apparent necessity is revealing.

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Larry Dighera > wrote:
> This seems like a true step forward:

> NEW TECHNOLOGY COULD DETECT AND FIX CRACKS IN COMPOSITES
> (http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/976-full.html#196364)
> A simple new technique could help to identify and repair small,
> potentially dangerous cracks in high-performance aircraft wings
> made of composite materials, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic
> Institute, in Troy, N.Y., have reported
> (http://news.rpi.edu:80/update.do?artcenterkey=2321). The
> scientists added a small amount of carbon nanotubes to the mix
> when forming composite materials from epoxy resin and carbon
> fiber. The tubes can electronically detect even the tiniest cracks
> and then release materials that will repair the problem, with a
> 70-percent recovery in strength. The process would improve the
> life span, integrity and safety of composites, the researchers
> said. "What's novel about this application is that we're using
> carbon nanotubes not just to detect the crack, but also to heal
> the crack," said principal scientist Nikhil Koratkar. "We use the
> nanotubes to create localized heat, which melts the healing agent,
> and that's what cures the crack."

> And it's apparent necessity is revealing.

Not really.

There are lots of methods to detect voids, cracks, etc. in metals.

Finding the same in composites is a bit of a challenge.

--
Jim Pennino

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