Abstract

Abstract

Monitoring Fatigue Damage Behavior of Glass/Epoxy
Composites Using Carbon Nanotubes as Sensors

Hasna Hena Zamal

Carbon nanotubes have been used as sensors in glass fiber/epoxy laminates for monitoring damage under fatigue loading. Carbon nanotubes are embedded in epoxy resin. The modified resin is infused between glass fibers to make composites. Silver paste electrodes are deposited on the surface of the laminate. Changes in electrical resistance are measured along several in-plane and through-thickness positions of the laminate. The changes in resistance are compared with the strain changes measured by strain gages. It is found that the changes in electrical resistance are sensitive to the degradation in the composite laminate. The electrical resistance method is proved to be more reliable in detecting damage in CNT incorporated GFRP composites than strain measurements as it senses the initiation of damage earlier than strain measurement. Among the in-plane and through- thickness resistance response, the through-thickness response can represent the initiation of damages more sensitively and quickly. This technique may be used to provide effective in-situ monitoring of damages in composites.