Detection of Impact Damage in Thermoplastic-Based Glass Fiber Composites Using Embedded Optical Fiber Sensors

Abstract

Step-index multi-mode optical fibers have been embedded in a thermoplastic glass fiber polypropylene (GF/PP). Three types of commercially available optical fibers have been investigated to evaluate their potential for detecting impact-induced damage in thermoplastic-based composite structures. Preliminary findings have confirmed the feasibility of using these inexpensive multi-mode optical fibers as damage sensors in high-performance composite materials. When embedded between the uppermost ply of a cross-ply unidirectional [0/90] s laminate, impact energies as low as 0.8 J have been detected using these optical fibers. The optical fibers have been embedded at different locations within the composite structure to investigate the effect of embedment locations on their sensitivity for detecting impact loading and damage.

Optical fibers for smart photonic textiles

“…Such fi bers are made of transparent materials, such as glass or polymers, and optimized for low loss information transmission. TIR optical fi bers embedded into woven composites have been applied for inservice structural health monitoring and stress-strain monitoring of industrial textiles and composites (Uskokovic et al , 1999;D'Amato, 2002;Kuang and Cantwell, 2003). Integration of optical fi ber-based sensor elements into wearable apparel allows real-time monitoring of bodily and environmental conditions, which is important to various hazardous civil occupations, including the security and military sectors.…”

“…Optical fi bers embedded into woven composites have been used for in-service structural health monitoring and stress-strain monitoring of industrial textiles and composites (Uskokovic, 1999;Uskokovic et al , 2001;D'Amato, 2002;Kuang and Cantwell, 2003;Kojovic et al , 2005;Zivkovic et al , 2005). Integration of optical fi ber-based sensor elements into wearable clothes allows real-time monitoring of bodily and environmental conditions, which is of importance to various hazardous civil occupations and the military.…”

Plastic Optical Fibre Sensors for Environmental Monitoring: Biofouling and Strain Applications

“…Fibre optic sensors offer a number of advantages which include their insensitivity to electromagnetic fields, light weight and minimal intrusiveness. Their ability to monitor a variety of structural health indicators such as strain, vibration [11], impact damage [12], and material fatigue [13] makes them ideal for smart structures applications. The incorporation of a fibre optic sensing system (FOSS) capable of the continuous acquisition of strain information would allow preventive measures to be taken before the onset of catastrophic failure.…”

Jacquard-Woven Photonic Bandgap Fiber Displays

“…Optical fibers embedded into woven composites have been applied for in-service structural health monitoring and stress-strain monitoring of industrial textiles and composites [1][2][3]. Integration of optical fiber-based sensor elements into wearable apparel allows real-time monitoring of bodily and environmental conditions, which is of important to various hazardous civil occupations, including the security and military sector.…”