Fatigue Damage Behavior of Glass/Epoxy Composites Using Carbon Nanotubes as Sensors

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes have been used as sensors in glass fiber/epoxy laminates for monitoring damage under fatigue loading conditions. Carbon nanotubes are embedded in epoxy resin. The modified resin is infused into glass fibers to make composites. Silver paste electrodes are deposited on the surface of the laminate. Changes in electrical resistance along the plane and through thickness of the laminate are measured. The changes in resistance are compared with the strain changes measured by strain gages. It is found that the changes in electrical resistance are more sensitive to the degradation in the composite laminate as compared to strain gauges. This technique may be used to provide in-situ monitoring of damages in composites.