Manufacturing of Smart Nanomaterials for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) in Aerospace Application Using CNT and CNF

Abstract

In this present work, the experimental study of developing the smart material by using 2 different preparation methods for developing nanomaterial for Glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) in order to determine the structural damage. The first method deals with the development of Fiber mat using PVA-CNF (Poly vinyl Alcohol-Carbon nanoFiber) and PVA-CNT (Poly vinyl Alcohol – Carbon nanoTube) , which is embedded into the GFRP. Second method deals with the dispersion of both CNF and MWCNT with epoxy matrix (sonication process) to manufacture GFRP by using Vacuum Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. Embedding CNT and CNF fiber is easy which does not downgrade the material’s mechanical properties. PVA-CNF and PVA-CNT sensors were placed at various orientations and different wt. % of CNT and CNF fiber mat were manufacture and embedded on the GFRP has been done in first method, and in the second method, dispersion of the CNF-MWCNT with various wt. % in the GFRP composite has been done. The various incremental loading-unloading step had been applied to the manufactured specimens and their corresponding electrical resistance were observed. The electrical conductivity of the fiber sensor and nanomatrix were compared, due to its resistivity effect on the specimens will be monitored and simultaneously the potential for stress/strain and damage monitoring during the mechanical tests can be assessed.