Polymeric Sensors for Health Monitoring of Composite Structures (Preprint).

摘要

Composites are rapidly replacing metals in structural applications due to their ability to outperform metals at significant weight savings. This has resulted in the need for monitoring techniques to prevent catastrophic failures. Crosslink is developing a real-time, light-weight strain/damage sensor system that can be either embedded in or superficially bonded at strategic locations to monitor structural integrity. These sensors utilize inherently conducting polymer (ICP) films. ICP-based sensors do not deteriorate with fatigue and have been shown to possess higher strain sensing capabilities. These are capable of sensing physical stretching and acoustic waves, as well as fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Crosslink is developing modules for wireless transmission of the data to identify the location and extent of damage, along with the prediction capability of the structure's remaining service life.