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
Recommended Citation
Rangarajan, Hariharan, "Interlaminar Damage Detection in Composite Materials" (2019). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 864.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/864
Included in
Ceramic Materials Commons, Other Mechanical Engineering Commons, Structures and Materials Commons