Processing and evaluation of smart composite reinforcement

Abstract

The issues of processing and evaluation of pultruded smart composite reinforcements with embedded fiber optic sensors are discussed. The required modification of the pultrusion processing technology to allow for the incorporation of fiber optic sensors is developed. In order to fully evaluate the loads imposed on the Fabry Perot fiber optic sensors during the pultrusion process, the strain sensors were subjected to the separate variables of the total process. The following data was obtained for the carbon fiber rods. Compaction pressure alone caused negligible residual strain. The temperature profile caused a similar strain profile over the length of the pultrusion die. For the total pultrusion process, the residual strain after cooling appeared to present somewhat of a problem. For several experiments, the residual strain after exiting the pultrusion die was in the range of plus 200 to 400 microstrain, after which the sensors ceased to function. Calculations indicated that the radial shrinkage of the carbon fiber rods may have been sufficient to cause failure of the Fabry Perot sensors. A special procedure of reinforcing sensors prior to embedding them into the composite was successful in allowing the sensors to survive with only a slightly negative residual strain.