Date of Last Revision

2023-05-03 12:53:43

Major

Mechanical Engineering - Cooperative Education

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2019

Abstract

Using ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for high-temperature applications in jet engines increases durability and reduces weight and cooling requirements resulting in improved efficiency and fuel savings. Understanding, detecting, and monitoring different types of damage is essential to achieve optimal performance of CMC components. The Direct Current Potential Drop (DCPD) method is a non-destructive technique of estimating damage in composite materials.

DCPD technique works by measuring nodal potential differences when current is flown through the material. Direct current spreading in different woven and laminate composites is modeled to follow a ladder resistor network in which the nodal voltages decrease exponentially as one moves away from the current nodes. However, in presence of a crack/delamination this trend transitions to a linear potential drop.

A prototype to incorporate DCPD for damage inspection was designed using spring loaded connectors. The data was recorded using Arduino Mega and plotted in MATLAB to analyze trend in nodal voltages and locate any defects. The prototype provides a cheap, portable and easy to use probe as an alternative to the existing techniques which can be expensive, require elaborate setups and limit the flexibility of operation e.g., X-ray CT, Acousto-ultrasonics etc.,

Research Sponsor

Dr. Gregory Morscher

First Reader

Dr. Yogesh Singh

Second Reader

Dr. Scott Sawyer

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