Abstract: There is provided a removable chromatic witness assembly, system, and method to monitor thermal events and impact events on a surface of a composite structure. The removable chromatic witness assembly has a plurality of chromatic witness geometric configurations separately coupled in an arrangement to one or more portions of a polymeric film layer. Each chromatic witness geometric configuration has a plurality of chromatic probes of a same type incorporated into an adhesive material. At least two of the geometric configurations have a different type of chromatic probes with a different sensing capability for thermal events and impact events on the composite structure. The polymeric film layer and the geometric configurations form the removable chromatic witness assembly in a form of a removable chromatic witness applique configured to be removably applied directly and continuously to the surface of the composite structure, and configured to monitor the thermal and impact events.

Abstract: There is provided a removable chromatic witness assembly, system, and method to monitor thermal events and impact events on a surface of a composite structure. The removable chromatic witness assembly has a plurality of chromatic witness geometric configurations separately coupled in an arrangement to one or more portions of a polymeric film layer. Each chromatic witness geometric configuration has a plurality of chromatic probes of a same type incorporated into an adhesive material. At least two of the geometric configurations have a different type of chromatic probes with a different sensing capability for thermal events and impact events on the composite structure. The polymeric film layer and the geometric configurations form the removable chromatic witness assembly in a form of a removable chromatic witness applique configured to be removably applied directly and continuously to the surface of the composite structure, and configured to monitor the thermal and impact events.

Abstract: Improved methods of detecting thermal exposure are provided herein. The provided methods utilize initially dormant luminescent probes incorporated into a matrix to form a composite. When exposed to heat over a period of time, the luminescent probes are “activated” through a molecular transformation initiated by thermal energy. The activated probes exhibit a luminescent profile based on the extent of thermal exposure, thereby providing an indicator of the thermal exposure experienced by the matrix. When the composite is used to produce a structural component of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft), the methods provide a convenient, large-area indicator of thermal damage experienced by the structural component.

Abstract: Improved methods of detecting thermal exposure are provided herein. The provided methods utilize initially dormant luminescent probes incorporated into a matrix to form a composite. When exposed to heat over a period of time, the luminescent probes are “activated” through a molecular transformation initiated by thermal energy. The activated probes exhibit a luminescent profile based on the extent of thermal exposure, thereby providing an indicator of the thermal exposure experienced by the matrix. When the composite is used to produce a structural component of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft), the methods provide a convenient, large-area indicator of thermal damage experienced by the structural component.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material includes providing an uncured substrate. The method further includes applying a bond ply to the substrate and a peel ply to the bond ply. In some embodiments, the bond ply comprises a fiber veil, such as a glass fiber veil. The method further includes curing the substrate and removing the bond ply and peel ply from the cured substrate, thereby exposing an active surface on the substrate. Removing the bond ply and peel ply can create fractures in the active surface that increase the roughness and bondability of the active surface. In several embodiments, the composite materials described herein can be compatible with a wide range of adhesives, including room temperature adhesives.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to silicon oxynitride materials having a variety of surface energies. One aspect of the disclosure is a method for forming a ceramic/substrate interface comprising forming a layer of substantially perhydrogenated polysilazane on a surface of a substrate; exposing the layer of substantially perhydrogenated polysilazane to energy sufficient to form a silicon oxynitride layer having an exposed surface, the exposed surface of the silicon oxynitride layer having a surface energy of at least about 50 mN/m; disposing a ceramic material or a precursor thereof on the silicon oxynitride layer; and heat treating to form the ceramic/substrate interface. Another aspect of the disclosure is an article having a patterned silicon oxynitride surface comprising a first region; and a second region, the second region having a surface energy substantially lower than the surface energy of the first region.

Abstract: Improved methods of detecting thermal exposure are provided herein. The provided methods utilize initially dormant luminescent probes incorporated into a matrix to form a composite. When exposed to heat over a period of time, the luminescent probes are “activated” through a molecular transformation initiated by thermal energy. The activated probes exhibit a luminescent profile based on the extent of thermal exposure, thereby providing an indicator of the thermal exposure experienced by the matrix. When the composite is used to produce a structural component of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft), the methods provide a convenient, large-area indicator of thermal damage experienced by the structural component.

Abstract: A coating system includes at least one polymeric coating layer comprising at least one fluorescent dye, wherein an optical behavior of the fluorescent dye changes as a function of a stress of the at least one polymeric coating.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to bond ply adhesive bonding of composites, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a method of forming a composite material includes providing an uncured substrate. The method further includes applying a bond ply to the substrate and a peel ply to the bond ply. In some embodiments, the bond ply comprises a fiber veil, such as a glass fiber veil. The method further includes curing the substrate and removing the bond ply and peel ply from the cured substrate, thereby exposing an active surface on the substrate. Removing the bond ply and peel ply can create fractures in the active surface that increase the roughness and bondability of the active surface. In several embodiments, the composite materials described herein can be compatible with a wide range of adhesives, including room temperature adhesives.