Performance Enhancement and Prediction of Composite Materials with Embedded Electrospun Piezoelectric Sensors
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Date
2020Author
Mazed, Rahman Jani
Elenchezhian, Muthu Ram Prabhu
Vadlamudi, Vamsee
Ahmed, Md Riaz Uddin
Raihan, Rassel
Reifsnider, Kenneth
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**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: In today’s world, continuous fiber reinforced composite materials are extensively used in the aerospace, automotive and other structural industries. Since the applications of such fibers demand for a high safety rating, it is of utmost importance for engineers who design such materials to analyze its safety. When cracks are developed in such materials, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties also get altered as a function of the cracks. Previous studies have shown that changes in electrical properties can be directly correlated with the development of cracks in the material which can then be used to predict the remaining life of such materials. In this study we propose to introduce an additional layer of Electrospun Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber in the CFRP matrix. PVDF is a piezoelectric material, meaning it will generate electricity on encountering vibrations. Therefore, when PVDF nanofibers are introduced in the matrix, the stress on the matrix will be translated onto the nanofibers which in turn will output electrical signals. In this study, 3 types of glass fiber composites (embedded with PVDF, embedded with PVDF with Multiwalled Carbon nanotube, and no additional material) are subjected to quasi static tensile tests while the impedance across the material is continuously measured. The change in impedance was then related to the stress the material was subjected to and predict the remaining life of the material.