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Smart Self-Sensing Composite: Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive FEA Modeling and Experimental Characterization Using
Relebohile George Qhobosheane1,2, Muthu Ram Prabhu Elenchezhian1,2, Partha Pratim Das1,2
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 8, 2020
Summary
This study developed a smart composite using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Terfenol-D nanoparticles for advanced sensing. The composite demonstrated enhanced piezoelectric and magnetostrictive properties, improving mechanical strength and crack resistance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Smart composites offer advanced sensing capabilities.
- Piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials are crucial for self-sensing applications.
- Integrating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Terfenol-D nanoparticles can create novel smart composites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a piezoelectric magnetostrictive smart composite with enhanced sensing capabilities.
- To investigate the self-sensing responses (piezoelectric and magnetostrictive) under applied stress using finite element analysis (FEA).
- To characterize the mechanical properties, piezoelectric response, and magnetostriction response of the developed composite.
Main Methods:
- Dispersion of SWCNTs for piezoelectric properties and Terfenol-D nanoparticles for magnetostrictive properties.
- Finite element analysis (FEA) to model self-sensing responses.
- Mechanical testing, including tensile tests and fracture toughness analysis.
Main Results:
- Increased Terfenol-D nanoparticle volume fraction enhanced magnetization and voltage response up to saturation.
- Optimum amplitude change was achieved at 0.35% Terfenol-D nanoparticle volume fraction.
- Maximum electrical resistance change of 7.4% was observed with a constant SWCNT ratio.
- Composite samples with both SWCNTs and Terfenol-D nanoparticles exhibited improved fracture toughness and resistance to crack propagation.
Conclusions:
- The developed smart composite exhibits significant piezoelectric and magnetostrictive self-sensing capabilities.
- FEA is a viable tool for modeling the complex responses of such smart composites.
- The composite shows potential for applications requiring advanced sensing and improved mechanical integrity.
