A hollow fibre reinforced polymer composite encompassing self-healing and enhanced damage visibility

The release and infiltration of an UV fluorescent dye from fractured hollow fibres into damage sites within the internal structure of the composite has been successfully demonstrated. It has been correlated with respect to the ultrasonic C-scan NDT/NDE technique and shown to be an effective method of quickly and easily highlighting damage at the surface that requires further investigation. This could be of particular benefit where rapid visual inspection of large surface areas (e.g., wing skins) is required.