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Embedded Sensors in Rubber and Other Polymer Components
Author(s) -
Harmeyer K. J.,
Holland M. A.,
Gallien T. W.,
Lumkes J. H.,
Krutz G. W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
strain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.477
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1475-1305
pISSN - 0039-2103
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1305.2007.00336.x
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , doors , natural rubber , computer science , composite material , operating system
Many polymer components are susceptible to catastrophic failure or are critical to the performance of the products they comprise. Because of this, the capability to monitor structural failures or performance reduction in these components is beneficial. It is difficult to fabricate sensors for polymer components because they often have complex shapes or are assembled in isolated locations. To solve this problem, micro‐scale electronic sensors, embedded within polymer components, were developed at Purdue University. Conductive polymer materials were used as the primary sensing element in the sensors. Testing results reveal that embedded sensors in polymer components can successfully indicate significant signal changes more than 100 loading cycles prior to catastrophic failure. Multiple sensing methods and applications have been tested and more are being researched. These findings may open doors for future polymer sensors that can improve safety and provide useful measurements for polymer components.