The compression performance and the associated global buckling behavior of a vacuum-infused repaired composite component monitored by the shadow moiré technique

Abstract

A composite repair method has been demonstrated, which was based on a liquid composite manufacturing process, namely the vacuum infusion. A composite component was repaired by this approach, using a carbon/polyester veil at the bondline as a toughening agent. The infused patch has recovered the load-carrying capability of the component, ultimately increasing slightly the failure load. The excess of load that would be carried by the skin around the damage leading to premature failure was being carried instead by the wellbonded patch through the carbon/polyester-toughened bondline. The bondline reinforcing fibers prevented the crack, initiated from excessive buckling of the component, to entirely peel the patch and so toweaken the strength of the component. The vacuum-infused repaired component reached strains on the patched area in excess of the aerospace composite design limit. Although the vacuum infusion repair process is demonstrated for an aircraft component, it is essential to note that the technique can easily be adapted with various repair designs to other structures as well, with less stringent requirements in terms of their performance. © 2007, Society for Experimental Mechanics.