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Synthesis and Characterization of a Carbon Nanotube Based Composite Strain Sensor

Boehle, Matthew C.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2368-8648
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462201576

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, Mechanical Engineering.
In order to more effectively monitor the health of composite structures, a fuzzy fiber strain sensor was created. The fuzzy fiber is a bundle of glass fibers with carbon nanotubes or nanofibers grown on the surface using a novel chemical vapor deposition process. The nanotube coating makes the fiber bundle conductive while the small conductive path increases sensitivity. The fuzzy fiber sensor can replace conventional metal foil strain gauges in composite applications. The sensor was first characterized by use of a micro-tension test to generate load vs. resistance plots to demonstrate the feasibility of the sensor. The fibers were then cast into epoxy dogbone specimens to enable testing with an extensometer to quantify its strain sensitivity. Sensors were then embedded in carbon fiber prepreg panels. Specimens were prepared to demonstrate their performance in a composite laminate typical of aerospace structures. A multi-axial specimen was constructed to test sensor response to longitudinal, transverse and off-axis loading cases. Cyclic tests were performed to check for hysteresis or non-reversible changes to the sensor. A finite element model was created to compare the experimental results to the expected behavior based on the Poisson effect.
Khalid Lafdi (Committee Chair)
Thomas Whitney (Committee Member)
Vinod Jain (Committee Member)
79 p.
Mechanical Engineering
carbon nanotube; structural health monitoring; composites; strain sensing; self-sensing composites; CNT strain gage

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Boehle, M. C. (2016). Synthesis and Characterization of a Carbon Nanotube Based Composite Strain Sensor [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462201576

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Boehle, Matthew. Synthesis and Characterization of a Carbon Nanotube Based Composite Strain Sensor. 2016. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462201576.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Boehle, Matthew. "Synthesis and Characterization of a Carbon Nanotube Based Composite Strain Sensor." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1462201576

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1462201576
3,277
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.