TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the applicative potentiality of functional/self-responsive materials in aeronautics. In particular, the study aims to experimentally validate the enhancement of structural performances of carbon fibers samples in the presence of nanofillers, as multi-walled carbon nanontubes or microcapsules for the self-healing functionality.Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for a mechanical study. Experimental static and dynamic tests on “blank” and modified formulations were performed in order to estimate both strength and damping parameters. A cantilever beam test set-up has been proposed. As a parallel activity, a numerical FE approach has been introduced to assess the correct modeling of the system.Findings The paper provides practical and empirical insights about how self-responsive materials react to mechanical solicitations. It suggests that reinforcing a sample positively affects the samples properties since they, de facto, improve the global structural performance. This work highlights that the addition of carbon nanotubes strongly improves the mechanical properties with a simultaneous slight enhancement in the damping performance. Damping properties are, instead, strongly enhanced by the addition of self-healing components. A balanced combination of both fillers could be adopted to increase electrical conductivity and to improve global performance in damping and auto-repairing properties.Practical implications The paper includes implications for the use of lightweight composite materials in aeronautics.Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study new lightweight self-responsive smart materials for aeronautical structural application.
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
SN  - 1757-9864
DO  - 10.1108/IJSI-11-2017-0060
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-11-2017-0060
AU  - Viscardi Massimo
AU  - Arena Maurizio
AU  - Guadagno Liberata
AU  - Vertuccio Luigi
AU  - Barra Giuseppina
PY  - 2018
Y1  - 2018/01/01
TI  - Multi-functional nanotechnology integration for aeronautical structures performance enhancement
T2  - International Journal of Structural Integrity
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 737
EP  - 752
Y2  - 2024/04/23
ER  -