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Weak Fiber Bragg Grating Array-Based In Situ Flow and Defects Monitoring During the Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion
Xiao Liu1, Zuoyin Tang2, Xin Gui3
1School of Information Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 17, 2024
Summary
This study demonstrates real-time monitoring of vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays. This method effectively detects resin flow and identifies defects like dry spots, ensuring composite material quality.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Composite Manufacturing
- Non-Destructive Testing
Background:
- Vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) is crucial for manufacturing high-quality composite parts.
- Real-time monitoring of resin flow and defect detection in VARI is challenging but essential for process optimization.
- Traditional monitoring methods often lack the spatial resolution or real-time feedback needed for effective process control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a quasi-distributed sensing system for real-time monitoring of the VARI process.
- To investigate the sensitivity of different optical fiber coatings for resin flow sensing.
- To demonstrate the capability of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays in identifying process-induced defects.
Main Methods:
- Sensitivity testing of polyacrylate- and polyimide-coated optical fiber sensors.
- Implementation of a weak fiber Bragg grating array for quasi-distributed strain monitoring.
- Conducting 2D and 3D resin flow monitoring tests under various vacuum-bagging conditions.
- Introducing artificial defects (dry spots, voids) to assess sensing system's defect detection capabilities.
Main Results:
- Polyacrylate-coated optical fibers exhibited higher wavelength-shift response compared to polyimide-coated ones.
- Three distinct strain curve trends were identified, correlating with sensor placement, flow direction, and bagging methods.
- FBG array monitoring results showed good agreement with visual inspections.
- Introduced defects were clearly reflected in maximum FBG strain changes due to reduced stress relaxation.
Conclusions:
- Fiber Bragg grating arrays offer a viable solution for quasi-distributed, real-time monitoring of VARI processes.
- The developed sensing method can effectively track resin flow dynamics and detect critical defects.
- This approach holds potential for experimental characterization of local flow states and material permeabilities in composite manufacturing.
