Abstract
Composite structures are attracting more interest due to their outstanding mechanical properties; thus, their inspection and health assessment are key items for their safe use. In this article we present a graphene-based sensor that evaluates the strain generated within a composite. A finite element model was developed to investigate the mechanism driving the graphene to act as a strain sensor. A prototype sensor was manufactured, using a commercially available graphene ink. The strain in composite samples was measured and the gauge factor identified by applying different load scenarios. The graphene sensor proved to be able to evaluate strain at various levels providing a gauge factor (exceeding 6) higher than commercially available strain gauges.Article HighlightsGraphene ink can be used to design and develop strain sensing systemsGraphene strain sensors are printed directly on the material allowing great design flexibility. The sensors can either be applied on the surface of the composite material or embedded within the structure.The measured gauge factor for the graphene strain sensor is higher that the commercial strain sensors.The graphene strain sensors provided higher sensing capabilities compared to commercially available copper-based strain gauges.The graphene sensor showed consistent results for different mechanical testing scenarios.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Structural composite materials in sectors such as aerospace, automotive or renewable energy have significantly increased over the past decades, replacing traditional metals due to their superior mechanical properties, including high specific modulus [1, 2]
4.1 Graphene sensor attached on the surface of the structure
Composite structures are becoming widely used across different industries
Summary
Structural composite materials in sectors such as aerospace, automotive or renewable energy have significantly increased over the past decades, replacing traditional metals due to their superior mechanical properties, including high specific modulus [1, 2]. The superior properties are established by tailoring the composite layout using appropriate resin matrix systems, combined with layered fibre reinforcement in different stack configurations and orientations to achieve the required mechanical properties [3, 4] Due to their complex nature, composites are subject to different failure types such as delamination, fibre breakage or cracks in the resin matrix [5, 6]. The main difference between NDT and SHM is that the former can detect defects based on multiple inspection processes, increasing the time-holding for maintenance and overall running costs To overcome these limitations, structural health monitoring systems are being implemented to continuously monitor the structure’s integrity, reducing the costs and providing earlystage detectability for defects development before failure [6]
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