Abstract
Electrical and interfacial properties of Ni-nanopowder/epoxy composites were investigatedfor self-sensing and actuation. Contact resistance and electrical resistivity were measuredusing a micro-specimen with a gradient grid of electrical contact on its length. Thespecimens’ self-sensing characteristics were monitored reasonably well under applied cyclicloading. Actuation in an electromagnetic field was evaluated by measurement of inducedstrain for three wavefunction voltages, i.e. sine, triangular and square. Due to the presenceof hydrophobic domains on the heterogeneous surface, the static contact angleof Ni-nanopowder/epoxy composites exhibited hydrophobicity. The specimensresponded well in both self-sensing and actuation tests, in electromagnetic fields,due to the intrinsic metallic property of Ni-nanopowder. Displacement of theactuator was evaluated to attain optimum performance as functions of wave type,frequency and voltage. The strain response followed the shape of the applied voltagesbetter, and was much smoother and less erratic for applied voltages with sine andtriangular waveforms than it was for voltages with a rectangular waveform. This isattributed to the sudden changes in voltage in the latter case. Such self-sensing andactuation, in conductive Ni-nanopowder/epoxy composites, might find uses inmulti-functional composite devices such as biomimetic and micro-size generators.
Published Version
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