Damage and Failure Monitoring of Aerospace Insulation Layers Based on Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in aviation thermal insulation layers due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent high-temperature performance. However, challenges remain regarding their structural integrity and durability under extreme conditions. This study first employed finite element simulation to model the damage evolution of CFRP laminated plates under axial tensile loads and their thermal decomposition behavior in high-temperature environments, providing a theoretical reference. Subsequently, experimental research was conducted on CFRP laminated plates embedded with fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. In the tensile tests, FBG sensors accurately monitored the entire process from elastic deformation to damage propagation and eventual failure. In the high-temperature tests, despite a 75% reduction in tensile strength, FBG sensors effectively monitored damage evolution. Conclusively, the results demonstrate that FBG sensors possess reliable monitoring capabilities under complex conditions, making them a promising solution for the long-term structural health monitoring of aviation thermal insulation materials and paving the way for future developments in this area. © 2024 by the authors.