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Luminescent photoelastic coatings

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Abstract

In this paper we describe a new technique to measure the surface strain field on complex three-dimensional structural components under static load. It is cost-efficient to implement and suitable to be integrated in the product design cycle in conjunction with finite element analysis tools. The technique employs novel luminescent photoelastic coatings and digital imaging to map the in-plane strain field. The coatings consist of a binder, generally polymeric in nature, and luminescent dyes that are applied to the surface of a test part using conventional aerosol techniques. When excited with circular polarized ultraviolet or blue illumination, the corresponding emission intensity from the coating is measured via a digital camera. The relative change in emission magnitude and phase as measured after passing through an analyzing polarizer is related to the in-plane shear strain and its corresponding principal direction. Several basic test results are presented and discussed, showing quantitative, repeatable, and high spatial resolution measurements.

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Abbreviations

E :

electric field wave magnitude

h :

coating thickness

I :

measured emission intensity, proportional toE 2

K :

photoelastic optical sensitivity

r :

luminescence anisotropy

t :

time

α:

analyzer angle

γ:

shear strain

δ:

optical strain response, φ p for a dual-layer coating

Δ:

angular retardation

ɛ:

normal strain

θ:

principal direction

λ:

wavelength of light

ν:

Poisson constant

ϕ:

efficiency or attenuation

σ:

standard deviation

ω:

angular frequency of light

avg :

average

ex :

excitation

c :

combined

em :

emission

f :

fast axis

H :

horizontal orientation

max :

maximum

np :

non-polarized

p :

polarized or polarization

q :

quantum

r :

residual

s :

slow axis

t :

transmission or true

V :

vertical orientation

1:

primary in-plane principal direction

2:

secondary in-plane principal direction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116250, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA

    J. P. Hubner (SEM member, an Adjunct Associate Professor), P. G. Ifju (SEM member, an Associate Professor) & L. Chen (SEM member, a Post-Doctorate Associate)

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA

    K. S. Schanze (a Professor) & Y. Liu (a Post-Doctorate Associate)

  3. Chassis Division, DSE, Visteon Corporation, 48310, Sterling Heights, MI, USA

    W. El-Ratal (SEM member, a Technical Specialist)

Authors
  1. J. P. Hubner
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  2. P. G. Ifju
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  3. K. S. Schanze
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  4. Y. Liu
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  5. L. Chen
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  6. W. El-Ratal
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Hubner, J.P., Ifju, P.G., Schanze, K.S. et al. Luminescent photoelastic coatings. Experimental Mechanics 44, 416–424 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428095

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428095

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