Investigation of the strain sensing sensitivity of the CNT-epoxy nanocomposite via changes in electrical resistance

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) which are mixed in polymer materials could be used as a piezoresistive strain sensor for the purpose of structural health monitoring in engineering structures. In this paper, stain sensing sensitivity of CNT-epoxy nanocomposite is presented with changes in electrical resistance. Nanocomposite sensor is sticked on the aluminum cantilever beam to apply strain on it. Initially, MWCNTs with varying content from 0.01 wt% to 1.5 wt% were uniformly dispersed in the epoxy matrix. Dispersion process was conducted with shear mixing device. Therefore, a smart material was created, which was suitable for strain sensing. The microstructure of the sensor was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy to characterize typical distribution of the MWCNTs inside the epoxy matrix and form conductive networks. The effect of the preparation method (type of initial mixing, curing temperature and MWCNTs weight percent) studied on the strain and electrical changes during mechanical loading. The results showed that, initial mixing of epoxy and hardener resulted in higher sensitivity of electrical changes. Also, nanocomposite was more sensitive to strains in cantilever beam when filler content of nanocomposite was closed to the percolation threshold. In addition, sample preparation at various temperatures of 80 and 100 oc showed that the samples in lower curing temperature were more sensitive to the applied strain.