Experimental study on multiple self-healing and impact properties of 2D carbon fiber fabric-reinforced epoxy composites with shape memory properties

•High fiber volume fraction 2D carbon fiber fabric-reinforced composites with both shape memory and self-healing properties are investigated.•Shape memory effect of polymer matrix found to promote impact plastic deformation recovery of composites.•Fiber cracks and matrix cracks reduce the shape memory properties of the specimen.•Addition of thermoplastic PCL to epoxy matrix increases impact resistance and self-healing ability of materials. Fiber-reinforced thermoset polymers are widely used in aerospace as a material with excellent performance. However, for the low-velocity impact damage to which they are most susceptible, existing repair methods are difficult to maintain the aerodynamic performance of the components (back to its pre-damage shape) after repair. In this study, the multiple impact deformation recovery, internal damage healing, and post-repair impact properties of epoxy-PCL (ε-caprolactone) 2D carbon fiber fabric-reinforced polymers with shape memory and self-healing properties were investigated. The material is manufactured using a hot press tank-prepreg process, curing at 160 °C for 3.5 h at 6 atmospheres. The results show that the incorporation of thermoplastic PCL into the composite matrix can enhance the self-healing ability and impact resistance of the material. Composites after lower energy impacts retain their structural integrity and mechanical properties after healing. Materials can recover effectively from a single impact, but repeated impacts can lead to more extensive damage, which makes healing more difficult and causes a decrease in Healing efficiency. The shape memory effect of composites can restore plastic deformation caused by impact, which highlights the potential of shape memory smart composites for aerospace applications.