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Modern smart materials have encouraged the investigators to aspect for extraordinary materials that can react to specific mechanical stimuli and retain the original shape. Electroactive polymers composites are smart materials, which are proficient of sensing and real-time actuation. Many such materials are suitable due to high strain rate, reliability, quick response, and high mechanical compliance even with tough manufacturing. This chapter reviewed the distinct characteristics of electroactive polymers composites and its applications and the parameters influencing the properties of those materials are also discussed. Moreover, this study used to enumerate the recent development in the area of electroactive polymers. The electromechanical properties of these materials provide them the fitness to serve as both sensors and actuators in the aerospace applications.

Self-healing composites are an extraordinary type of combination materials which are capable of automatically recovering after being damaged. This concept was raised from the inspiration of biological systems, especially human skin which can heal itself. In the past two decades, the concepts of self-healing have been proposed under two categories, one is based on the form of capsules and the other is in the form of vascular networks enclosed with healing agents. Also, it has been proven that recovery of the material properties of such materials was enhanced from 60% to 100%. This chapter provides a detailed fundamental background of polymer matrix composites which are of the self-healing type. The traditional way to fabricate this type of composite material is by incorporating the needful healing agent in the form of microvessels or microcapsules. While damage occurs, the material will burst the capsules containing the healing agent, in turn sealing the crack. This invention finds various application areas to create critical systems, such as offshore structures, satellites, and aircraft.

Currently, the manufacturing of self-healing materials is vital for real-time applications in engineering fields. In the course of recent decades, there has been an enormous interest in creating self-healing materials with this property to increase the lifetime of materials, diminish the cost of replacement, and also enhance product safety. This material can be produced using an assortment of polymeric and metallic materials. This chapter reviews the fundamental advancements that are now being produced, especially in the areas of thermosetting polymeric composites. The different self-healing ideas developed from the previous literature are then described in detail.