Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the different types of fiber optic sensors (FOS) that can be used with composite materials and also their compatibility with and suitability for embedding inside a composite material. An overview of the different types of FOS used for strain/temperature sensing in composite materials is presented. Recent trends, and future challenges for FOS technology for condition monitoring in smart composite materials are also discussed. This comprehensive review provides essential information for the smart materials industry in selecting of appropriate types of FOS in accordance with end-user requirements.
Highlights
Composite material structures [1] are widely used in the aerospace, marine, aviation, transport, sport/leisure and civil engineering industries [1]
Composite material structures are frequently subjected to external perturbations and varying environmental conditions which may cause the structures to suffer from fatigue damage and/or failures, and require real time structural health monitoring (SHM)
Sensors that are commonly employed for SHM are resistance strain gauges, fiber optic sensors, piezoelectric sensors, eddy current sensors, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors [3]
Summary
Composite material structures [1] are widely used in the aerospace, marine, aviation, transport, sport/leisure and civil engineering industries [1]. The diagnostics process and condition monitoring of composite structures is usually carried out during their working life [2]. The goal of such diagnostics is to detect, identify, locate and assess the defects that may affect the safety or performance of a structure. Fiber optic sensors (FOS) on the other hand are suitable candidates for SHM of composite materials during operation since they are capable of achieving the goals of diagnostics as well as condition monitoring and being very compact in size and can be embedded into such structures, acting in many ways as the equivalent of a human nervous system [5]. Previous investigations of FOS embedded in composite structures indicate that FOS technology is capable of monitoring stress/strain, temperature, composite cure process, vibration, humidity, delamination and cracking and has great potential for condition monitoring of a variety of composite materials applications [6,7]
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