Health Monitoring of Composite Structures Using Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The increased use of fiber-reinforced composites as compared to steel or aluminum in large-scale structures offers numerous potential benefits in terms of weight savings, corrosion resistance as well as the capability to tailor other structural and functional properties. These structures are often exposed to a variety of conditions, including impact, shock loading and extreme changes in temperature. The fracture of fiberreinforced composites is a complex process involving accumulation of micro-scale damage. Acellent Technologies and University of Delaware have jointly working to develop an integrated system of carbon nanotubes and piezoelectric sensors for health monitoring of composite structures under funding from AFOSR. The technologies are integrated into a hybrid structural health monitoring (SHM) system that can detect both microcracks and localized damage/delamination in composite structures. The hybrid system combines the unique sensing capabilities of carbon nanotubes along with those of a piezoelectric sensor network to sense the location, nature and extent of damage.