SMARTweave Sensors for Assessing Ballistic Damage: A Feasibility Study.
Abstract
SMARTweave technology, developed and patented by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), has been applied to monitor resin flow and cure progress in composite laminate processing. It has since demonstrated the capacity of being a viable sensing mechanism in other critical applications. In this feasibility study, for example, SMARTweave sensors have successfully shown the potential for detecting ballistic-impact- induced damage in a composite laminate. A sensing grid of electrically conductive graphite fibers was embedded in the composite specimens during lay-up of the glass-fabric preforms. The results of electrical resistance measurements preformed before and after ballistic impact, with the difference indicating the detection of induced damage (delamination), are presented herein. For purposes of qualitative comparison, a traditional, ultrasonic, nondestructive, evaluation technique was also used to capture the effects of the induced damage. This research was conducted during the period that the Materials Division was in transition from ARL, Watertown, MA, to the Rodman Materials Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA347463
Entities
People
- Daniel J. Snoha
- Shawn M. Walsh
- William O. Ballata
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory