Title: Structural Health Monitoring of Composites from Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Coated E-Glass Fiber

Authors: Sidney Wong, Omar Dwidar, Sergio R. Rodriguez Herrera, Eltahry Elghandour, Ph.D. and Amro El Badawy, Ph.D.

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.20.0339

Abstract: This research investigated the development of a nanomaterial-based sensor for health monitoring of composite structures. To develop the sensor, carbon nanotube/epoxy mixture (2%wt CNT) was coated on a strand of E-glass fiber to be adhered onto a fiberglass composite specimen. The selection of E-glass fiber and fiberglass plate was largely due to its electrical insulating properties to demonstrate that the carbon nanotube is driving the sensing capabilities through its highly conductive nature. In addition, by adhering the coated E-glass fiber to a fiberglass coupon, the homogeneity and material properties were approximately maintained. Tensile testing of the specimen conducted through a Lloyd LD50 tensile testing machine provided data on the actual strain which was correlated with the experimental differential resistances measured by a multimeter, both at the same specified tensile loading conditions. With two sets of data, the experimental resistance data was calibrated with the actual strain data collected. Ultimately, the experimental sensors created a sample of gauge factors which represents 91.24% probability of replicating the observed range of gauge factors by using the same manufacturing procedures, providing a valid alternative and consistent method to detecting composite damage.

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Conference: SAMPE 2020 | Virtual Series

Publication Date: 2020/06/01

SKU: TP20-0000000339

Pages: 14

Price: FREE