DAMAGE SENSING IN FIBRE-REINFORCED COMPOSITES USING CARBON NANOTUBE NETWORKS BY SPRAY COATING

摘要

In this paper, a novel route based on spray coating for carbon nanotube (CNTs) deposition onto fibre preforms is introduced, with good dispersion and spatial control. This spray coating technique has not only overcome traditional challenges from mixing CNTs into epoxy resin such as increased viscosity and uneven distribution, but also provides good spatial control with CNT localization in damage prone zones in fibre composite laminates. In-situ damage sensing has been performed by utilizing this deposited CNT network, and good correlation is obtained between mechanical performance and electrical sensing signals. Even for very low CNT concentrations (0.13 wt.%), the tested interlaminar fracture toughness also significantly increased by 30% due to CNT localization at the interfacial region in the composite.