Multiscale synergistic toughened pluronic/PMEA/ hydroxyapatite hydrogel laminated aramid soft composites: Puncture resistance and self-healing properties

In order to solve the recycling of the puncture-resistant soft composites, this study constructs a multiscale self-healing gel-fabric soft composite synergistically toughened by Pluronic/PMEA hydrogel, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP NPs) and aramid fabric. Results show that the gel matrix has a self-healing efficiency of 85% after puncture damage, and the stab resistances are highly positively associated with the toughness of the hydrogel matrix. When toughened by 4% HAP NPs, the spike and knife resistances of soft composites are improved by 132% and 130%, respectively. After being laminated, the composite exhibits a self-repairing efficiency of 52% and still has excellent performance after multiple punctures. At lamination angle of 45° and the gel volume fraction of 45%, the composite has the best puncture resistance properties, and the 37 layers can resist against the E1 stab resistance energy. The synergistic toughened mechanism is due to the interfacial shear strength between the fiber and the gel matrix. Overall, this research provides a novel structural design for the recycling of high-performance puncture-resistant composites.