Braided Rope Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotube Yarn

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is exhibited outstanding electrical, mechanical, and structural properties. CNT yarn is widely used in textile structures as multifunctional yarn and is suitable as strain sensor. Here, use two methods for braiding CNT yarn into rope to make sensing ropes. The properties of CNT yarn and different ropes were tested, then according to the result the best method was chosen for the preparation of sensing rope. Results show the CNT yarn have enough strength to be used in braiding process, CNT embedded rope structure has more stable sensing property than CNT braided rope structure. The rope has approximately ≥7% resistance change ratio per 10% strain, so the embedded rope structure is the optimal structure for sensing rope. The sensing rope will help to improve the development of strain sensor in textile structure.