Sensitivity increase of 3D printed, self-sensing, carbon fibers structures with conductive filament matrix
Abstract
The excellent structural and piezoresistive properties of continuous carbon fiber make it suitable for both structural and sensing applications. This work studies the use of 3D printed, continuous carbon fiber reinforced beams as self-sensing structures. It is demonstrated how the sensitivity of these carbon fiber strain gauges can be increased irreversibly by means of a pretreatment by 'breaking-in' the sensors with a large compressive bending load. The increase in the gauge factor is attributed to local progressive fiber failure, due to the combination of the thermal residual stress from the printing process and external loading. The coextrusion of conductive filament around the carbon fibers is demonstrated as a means of improving the reliability, noise and electrical connection of the sensors.
Used in syntheses
Questions this source addresses
- How can we make structural color on a large scale?
- How closely can we copy the color-making structures found in nature?
- What tiny shapes can make colors out of light?
- Where do colors come from when there is no pigment?
- How can a mechanical 'breaking-in' process irreversibly increase the strain-sensing gauge factor of a 3D printed continuous carbon fiber beam?
- How does coextruding conductive filament around continuous carbon fiber improve electrical connection reliability and noise performance in self-sensing structures?
- In what ways can piezoresistive carbon fiber reinforcement let a 3D printed structural part also function as its own strain gauge?
- What role does thermal residual stress from the 3D printing process play in causing the local progressive fiber failure that boosts sensitivity?