Smart Self-Sensing Composite: Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive FEA Modeling and Experimental Characterization Using Wireless Detection Systems

Abstract

This research work focuses on the development of a piezoelectric magnetostrictive smart composite with advanced sensing capability. The composite piezoelectric property is achieved from the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and the magnetostrictive property from Terfenol-D nanoparticles. Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to examine the feasibility of modelling the piezoelectric (change in electric field) and magnetostrictive (change in magnetic field) self-sensing responses in the presence of applied stress. The numerical work was coupled with a series of mechanical tests to characterize the piezoelectric response, magnetostriction response and mechanical strength. Tensile tests of the composite samples manufactured as is (virgin), samples with SWCNTs, samples with Terfenol-D nanoparticles and samples with both SWCNTs and Terfenol-D nanoparticles were conducted. It was observed that an increase in volume fraction of Terfenol-d nanoparticles increases the change in magnetization, therefore increasing voltage response up to the point of saturation. The optimum change in amplitude was observed with 0.35% volume fraction of Terfenol-D nanoparticles. A constant ratio of SWCNTs was maintained, and maximum change in electrical resistance was at 7.4%. Fracture toughness for the samples with all nanoparticles was explored, and the results showed improved resistance to crack propagation.

Smart Self-Sensing Piezoresistive Composite Materials for Structural Health Monitoring

“…The aggregation of carbon nanotubes was avoided in this study by functionalizing the CNTs in acid. Following exohedral functionalization, 50 mg of CNTs were dispersed in 150mL of 1:3 HN0 3 : H 2 SO 4 solution and agitated at 500 rpm at 120 • C. Deionized (DI) water was utilized to properly clean the CNTs after they had been acid-treated [3]. The manufactured nanotubes were sonicated in ethanol using a Branson Sonifier S-250D with a 13 mm end cap diameter having a cylindrical tip to enhance their solubility and then added to a West System 105B epoxy resin with the 207SB epoxy hardener.…”

“…The fabricated composite specimens were then cut into the required dimensions as per mode I ASTM D5528 tests [23] for the mechanical tests. A concentration of 0.34 wt.% CNTs was used in the resin system based on previous research [3]. Vertuccio et al investigated the sensing property of 0.3 wt.…”

“…Advancements in materials research have led to the development of smart materials. This is seen in different applications, which include sensors, structural materials, and actuators, among others [1][2][3]. This work focuses on the development of piezoresistive smart self-sensing composites for structural health monitoring (SHM).…”

Static, Dynamic, and Signal-to-Noise Analysis of a Solid-State Magnetoelectric (Me) Sensor with a Spice-Based Circuit Simulator

“…The sensor consists of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials with an intermediate material (usually epoxy resin glue). The most used magnetostrictive materials are Terfenol-D and Metglas [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The most popular piezoelectric ceramic materials include (better known as PZT), (PMN-PT), and more [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Finite element methods (FEM) are often used to analyze internal multiphysics processes in solid elements [ 2 , 4 ]. Efficient software tools for this type of analysis have been developed.…”