Abstract
Epoxies are an integral element of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, which are increasingly being used in various aerospace, automotive, civil, and naval structures. In addition, nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), are infused in epoxy resins to enhance their electromechanical (sensing) and thermal properties, among others. For both cases, and as innovative epoxy-based composites are being developed, monitoring and understanding their curing process is important for establishing manufacturing guidelines. Moreover, the ability to inspect for and to detect damage (e.g., defects created during manufacturing) is crucial for ensuring product quality and performance. The main objective of this study was to develop a noncontact technique for monitoring curing of epoxy and for detecting defects (or damage) in pristine and CNT-enhanced epoxy resins. First, electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) was employed for determining, in a noncontact fashion, the permittivity distribution of materials such as epoxy resins. Second, ECT was used for monitoring curing of pristine and CNTenhanced epoxy specimens. The results showed that reconstructed permittivity values of these specimens changed and correlated with curing times. Last, different sizes of damage were introduced to epoxy specimens. ECT was validated for its ability to detect the locations and sizes of these damage features.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Structural Health Monitoring 2017 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Real-Time Material State Awareness and Data-Driven Safety Assurance - Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, IWSHM 2017 |
| Editors | Fu-Kuo Chang, Fotis Kopsaftopoulos |
| Publisher | DEStech Publications |
| Pages | 2977-2984 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781605953304 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 11th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring 2017: Real-Time Material State Awareness and Data-Driven Safety Assurance, IWSHM 2017 - Stanford, United States Duration: Sep 12 2017 → Sep 14 2017 |
Publication series
| Name | Structural Health Monitoring 2017: Real-Time Material State Awareness and Data-Driven Safety Assurance - Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, IWSHM 2017 |
|---|---|
| Volume | 2 |
Conference
| Conference | 11th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring 2017: Real-Time Material State Awareness and Data-Driven Safety Assurance, IWSHM 2017 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Stanford |
| Period | 09/12/17 → 09/14/17 |
Funding
This research was partially supported by the Office of Naval Research (under Contract No. N00014-17-1-2550) and the Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California-San Diego. The authors thank Hexion Inc. for providing the epoxy resin and curing agent used in this study.