A Novel Composite with Structural Health Monitoring Functionality via 2D and 3D Impedance Mapping Topography

Georgios Foteinidis,Alkiviadis S Paipetis

doi:10.3390/app11041647

Abstract

We report the transformation of a conventional composite material into a multifunctional structure able to provide information about its structural integrity. A purposely positioned grid of carbon fabric strips located within a glass fibre laminate in alternating 0/90 configuration combined with a ternary nanomodified epoxy matrix imparted structural health monitoring (SHM) topographic capabilities to the composite using the impedance spectroscopy (IS) technique. The matrix was reinforced with homogenously dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon black (CB). A sinusoidal electric field was applied locally over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 100 kHz between the junction points of the grid of carbon fabric strips. The proposed design enabled topographic damage assessment after a high-velocity impact via the local monitoring of the impedance. The data obtained from the IS measurements were depicted by magnitude and phase delay Bode plots and Nyquist plots. The impedance values were used to create a 2D and a multi-layer (3D) contour topographical image of the damaged area, which revealed crucial information about the structural integrity of the composite.

Highlights

The material presented an ohmic behaviour, and the values of the magnitude of the impedance were equal to DC resistance values
This increase can be attributed to the disruption of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/carbon black (CB) conductive network, due to the delaminations and the microcracks [18]
The purposely designed lamination of carbon and glass fabrics combined with a MWCNT and CB reinforced epoxy resin matrix imparted structural health monitoring (SHM) topography functionality to a GRFP laminate

Summary

Introduction

Advanced composite materials nowadays possess a leading position in the aeronautics industry for primary aircraft components (e.g., Airbus A380, Boeing 787). Due to their exceptional specific mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and capability of tailored manufacturing, composite materials are employed for numerous aerospace components such as the wings, fuselage or the aircraft interiors. The lightweight advantage is achieved by efficient design and involves structural anisotropy

Methods

Results

Conclusion