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Self-healing Composite for MMOD Impact Damage Recovery
Wojciech Guziewicz  1, *@  , Piotr Szatkowski, Tadeusz Uhl@
1 : AGH University of Krakow, Space Technology Centre
* : Corresponding author

Micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) pose a serious threat to the structure and integrity of spacecraft. Collisions with micrometre-sized impactors can cause accelerated erosion of the surface of materials, while impacts with larger objects can cause severe damage to the entire material structure. Due to the nature of this damage and the harsh conditions of space, it is difficult to repair such damage. It is also extremely expensive to replace entire components using an on-orbit service (OOS). To address this problem, a material with an integrated microvascular self-healing system is proposed that can fill large volumes of damage with UV healing agent. The authors present the fabrication of such a composite material using additive manufacturing (AM) and autoclave processing. Initial simulation of the mechanical properties of the composite is provided to optimise the geometry of the microvascular system. Such a system is then manufactured using 3D printing, processed and laminated within the composite structure as a sacrificial network. After removal of the network, the microvascular system is embedded in the composite matrix and filled with healing agent. Three-point bending and impact tests are performed to evaluate the self-healing efficiency and overall material structure and morphology. Further testing is planned in a vacuum-thermal chamber and in the stratosphere. This approach aims to improve spacecraft resilience to MMOD-induced damage, thereby promoting potential advances in spacecraft longevity.


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