Smart cord-rubber composites with integrated sensing capabilities by localised carbon nanotubes using a simple swelling and infusion method

Abstract

Smart self-sensing composites with integrated damage detection capabilities are of particular interests in various applications ranging from aerospace and automotive structural components, to wearable electronics and healthcare devices. Here, we demonstrate a feasible strategy to introduce and localise conductive nanofillers into existing elastomeric coatings of reinforcing cords for interfacial damage detection in cord-rubber composites. A simple swelling and infusion method was developed to incorporate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the elastomeric adhesive coating of glass cords. Conductive CNTinfused glass cords with good self-sensing functions were achieved without affecting the bonding provided by the coating with rubber matrix. The effectiveness of using these smart cords as interfacial strain and damage sensors in cord-rubber composites was demonstrated under static and cyclic loading. It showed the possibility to identify both reversible deformation and irreversible interfacial damage. The simplicity of the proposed swelling and infusion methodology provides great potential for large-scale industrial production or modification of CNT functionalised elastomeric products such as cord-rubber composites.

Sustainable and self-regulating out-of-oven manufacturing of FRPs with integrated multifunctional capabilities

“…This is believed due to the tunnelling effect of electrons within the percolating network and the change in the distance between conductive fillers induced from external mechanical loading and deformation [41]. For what concerns the effect of strain amplitude on the self-sensing capability, the largest electrical resistance change was observed for the largest strain amplitudes, which is consistent with the mechanism of conductive network deformation based on percolated conductive networks [42].…”

Recent Advances in 1D Stretchable Electrodes and Devices for Textile and Wearable Electronics: Materials, Fabrications, and Applications

“…The electrical conductivity of the fabricated yarn could be further improved to 423.7 mS cm −1 by additionally depositing AgNPs. Using a modified dip coating process, Busfield and co‐workers proposed a straightforward method to fabricate conductive cords by incorporating CNTs into the elastomeric adhesive layer dip‐coated on the surface of glass fibers . Based on its electrical conductivity of 10 −2 S m −1 , the percolated CNTs network provided a self‐sensing ability for interfacial strain and damage in the cord‐rubber composites under the external stress.…”

Preparation and properties of high‐strength‐high‐modulus polyimide cords/natural rubber composites

“…These aqueous dips involve latex offering necessary flexibility and reactivity to rubber and RF resin providing the desired heat and fatigue resistance by forming a three-dimensional network. [16][17][18][19] It has been also reported that the RFL treatment alone is not sufficient to modify the surface of high-performance organic fibers due to the lack of polar and hydrogen bonding groups in chemical structures. Hence, a dip-coating of functional adhesives prior to the treatment of RFL is needed.…”

“…The cords are commonly treated with resorcinol‐formaldehyde‐latex (RFL) adhesives to improve the interfacial interaction with rubber. These aqueous dips involve latex offering necessary flexibility and reactivity to rubber and RF resin providing the desired heat and fatigue resistance by forming a three‐dimensional network 16–19 . It has been also reported that the RFL treatment alone is not sufficient to modify the surface of high‐performance organic fibers due to the lack of polar and hydrogen bonding groups in chemical structures.…”