Journal
SENSORS
Volume 22, Issue 17, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/s22176604
Keywords
optical fiber; shape sensing; composite materials; process monitoring
Funding
- JSPS KAKENHI [20H02345]
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This study proposes a strip-type embeddable shape sensor based on fiber optics for in situ monitoring of consolidation deformation in carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite structures. The sensor's performance is evaluated using finite element analysis and experiments, and relaxation of consolidation deformation due to fiber-resin suspension flow is measured for the first time.
Carbon fibers and resin used in manufacturing carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite structures flow before the resin solidifies, resulting in disrupted fiber orientation and non-uniform thickness. This process, known as consolidation, is critical for the quality of the composite structure, but no technology exists to measure the deformation in situ. This study proposes a strip-type embeddable shape sensor based on fiber optics for in situ monitoring of consolidation deformation. The sensor consists of a thin, flexible sheet with optical fibers embedded in the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, and it can monitor out-of-plane bending deformation in composite materials during consolidation. Finite element analysis and experiments are used to evaluate the basic performance of the shape sensor before it is applied to composite gap/lap monitoring. For the first time, the relaxation of consolidation deformation due to the flow of fiber-resin suspension is measured. The proposed sensor will be a powerful tool for elucidating consolidation mechanisms and for validating composite manufacturing simulations.
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