Review of self-sensing of damage and interfacial evaluation using electrical resistance measurements in nano/micro carbon materials-reinforced composites

Nondestructive evaluation methods have been utilized to detect and to prevent structural damage in research and development. Most such detection methods used expensive external sensors to detect damage. This paper explores the use of a less expensive electrical resistance measurement method for damage and strain sensing resulting from electrical signal variations, induced by stresses or shape changes in conductive materials. This method of damage sensing was performed first on carbon fibers composites, and in this study, its use is extended to conductive nanoparticles composites. Self-sensing can also be used to evaluate the interfacial properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. This electrical resistance measurement method had several advantages compared to other nondestructive evaluation methods such as better stability, lower cost, and being rather simple. Future plans are to include studies of this nondestructive method into the manufacturing and robotic fields.