In-situ damage monitoring of composites under dynamic impact using nylon/Ag fiber sensor
Abstract
Despite having a vast structural application, Composites are not exempt from limitations and are also susceptible to deforming during operations. Therefore, it is essential to develop in-situ monitoring systems and sensors to avoid their catastrophic failure, especially for dynamic failure. So, the objective of this study was to investigate and monitor the dynamic behavior of composites in real-time using a Nylon/Ag fiber sensor under the low-velocity impact. Nylon/Ag fiber sensors were integrated at different directions and positions within the composite specimens which were tested under low-velocity impact on the Taylor cannon gun apparatus. Three sets of tests were performed at 2.5m/s, 3m/s and 6.5m/s respectively to demonstrate the detection signal of the fiber sensors when there is no damage, some micro damage and overall breakage of the sample. The results confirmed that each Nylon/Ag fiber sensor showed a specific resistance behavior in all three specimens because of their respective position and direction and detected the deformation, damage initiation, damage propagation, type of damage and quantification of the amount of damage induced.