This article highlights the effects from
composite manufacturing parameters on fiber-reinforced composite laminates
modified with layers of piezoelectric thermoplastic nanofibers and
a conductive electrode layer. Such modifications have been used for
enabling in situ deformation measurement in high-performance aerospace
and renewable energy composites. Procedures for manufacturing high-performance
composites are well-known and standardized. However, this does not
imply that modifications via addition of functional layers (e.g.,
piezoelectric nanofibers) while following the same manufacturing procedures
can lead to a successful multifunctional composite structure (e.g.,
for enabling in situ measurement). This article challenges success
of internal embedment of piezoelectric nanofibers in standard manufacturing
of high-performance composites via relying on composite process specifications
and parameters only. It highlights that the process parameters must
be revised for manufacturing of multifunctional composites. Several
methods have been used to lay up and manufacture composites such as
electrospinning the thermoplastic nanofibers, processing an inter
digital electrode (IDE) made by conductive epoxy–graphene resin,
and prepreg autoclave manufacturing aerospace grade laminates. The
purpose of fabrication of IDE was to use a resin type (HexFlow RTM6)
for the conductive layer similar to that used for the composite. Thereby,
material mismatch is avoided and the structural integrity is sustained
via mitigation of downgrading effects on the interlaminar properties.
X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses
have been carried out in the material characterization phase. Pulsed
thermography and ultrasonic C-scanning were used for the localization
of conductive resin embedded within the composite laminates. This
study also provides recommendations for enabling internally embedded
piezoelectricity (and thus health-monitoring capabilities) in high-performance
composite laminates.