A single three-parameter tilted fibre Bragg grating sensor to monitor the thermosetting composite curing process

Journal Article (2022)
Author(s)

L. Fazzi (TU Delft - Structural Integrity & Composites)

G. Struzziero (TU Delft - Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa))

Clemens A. Dransfeld (TU Delft - Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies)

RM Groves (TU Delft - Structural Integrity & Composites)

Research Group
Structural Integrity & Composites
Copyright
© 2022 L. Fazzi, G. Struzziero, C.A. Dransfeld, R.M. Groves
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1080/20550340.2022.2041221
More Info
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Publication Year
2022
Language
English
Copyright
© 2022 L. Fazzi, G. Struzziero, C.A. Dransfeld, R.M. Groves
Research Group
Structural Integrity & Composites
Issue number
1
Volume number
8
Pages (from-to)
33-41
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Abstract

The unique sensing features of the tilted Fibre Bragg Grating (TFBG) as a single three-parameter optical sensor are demonstrated in this work, to monitor the manufacturing process of composite materials produced using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) process. Each TFBG sensor can measure simultaneously and separately strain, temperature and refractive index (RI) of the material where the optical fibre is embedded. A TFBG embedded in a 2 mm glass-fibre/epoxy composite plate was used to measure the thermomechanical variations induced during the curing process. At the same time, the RI measurements, performed with the same TFBG sensor, can estimate the degree of cure of the resin. The TFBG sensor shows to be a valid and promising technology to improve the state of art of sensing and monitoring in composite material manufacturing.