Abstract
Metallized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films can be etched into nondestructive evaluation (NDE) sensor devices. Since these sensors are relatively inexpensive, thin and lightweight, they can be attached permanently to adhesively bonded joints, laminated composites, and other structures to measure structural integrity. The present study has addressed techniques to design, attach, and utilize such sensors for adhesive joint and laminated composite applications. PVDF sensors have been successfully used as NDE transducers in pulse-echo, through-transmission, and acousto-ultrasonic techniques to monitor curing, and to detect porosity and crack propagation in different model joint geometries. Feasibility of several applications has been demonstrated, although several problems remain. The potential of using these techniques for practical bonded structures is also suggested.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Guyott, C.C.H., Cawley, P. andAdams, R.D., “The Non-destructive Testing of Adhesively Bonded Structure: A Review,”J. Adhesion,20,129–159 (1986).
Adams, R.D. andCawley, P., “A Review of Defect Types and Nondestructive Testing Techniques for Composites and Bonded Joints,”NDT Int.,31,208–221 (1988).
Vary, A., “Acousto-Ultrasonic Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Composites,”Mat. Eval.,40,650–662 (1982).
Fahr, A., Lee, S., Tanary, S. andHaddad, Y., “Estimation of Strength in Adhesively Bonded Specimens by Acousto-Ultrasonic Technique,”Mat. Eval.,47,233–240 (1989).
Tiwari, A., Henneke II, E.G. and Duke, Jr., J.C., “Acousto-Ultrasonic Technique for Assuring Adhesive Bond Quality,” J. Adhesion, to be published.
Stiffer, R. andHenneke II, E.G., “The Application of Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) as an Acoustic Emission Transducer for Fibrous Composite Materials,”Mat. Eval.,41,956–957 (1983).
Pennwalt Corporation, Kynar Piezo Film Technical Manual, Piezo Films Sensors Division, Valley Forge, PA (1987).
Mommaerts, J., Tang, B., Duke, Jr., J.C. andDillard, D.A., “A Feasibility Study of PVDF Sensors to Detect Damage in Adhesive Joints,” (also see J. Mommaerts' Masters thesis),CASSIESM 90-6, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA (Dec. 1990).
Shuford, R.J., Wilde, A.F., Ricca, J.J. andThomas, G.R., “Characterization and Piezoelectric Activity of Stretched and Poled Poly(vinylidene fluoride),”Polymer Eng. and Sci.,16,25–36 (1976).
Chou, S.J., and Ekstrom, R.E., Proc. 1986 SEM Conf. on Exp. Mech., 308–512 (1986).
Dillard, D.A., Anderson, G.L. andDavis, Jr, D.D., “A Preliminary Study of the use of Kynar Piezoelectric Film to measure Peel Stresses in Adhesive Joints,”J. Adhesion,29,245–255 (1989).
Anderson, G.L., Dillard, D.A. et al., Proc. 1990 SEM Conf. on Exp. Mech. (1990).
Anderson, G.L., Raheem, A.R., Robertson, R.C., Elshabini-Riad, A. and Dillard, D.A., “The Development and Use of KYNAR Piezoelectric Film Sensors for the Measurement of Peel Stresses in Adhesive Joints,” EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS,in review.
Anderson, G.L., Dillard, D.A. and Wightman, J.P., “Improving Bonding to Piezoelectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride),” J. Adhesion, in review.
Scott, W.R. andBloomfield, P.E., “Ditrable Lead Attachment Techniques for PVDF Polymer Transducers with Application to High Voltage Pulsed Ultrasonics,”Ferroelectrics,32,79–83 (1981).
Kline, R.A., Hsiao, C.P. andFidaali, M.A., “Nondestructive Evaluation of Adhesively Bonded Joints,”J. Eng. Mat. and Tech.,108,214–217 (1986).
Das-Gupta, D.K. andDoughty, K., Thin Solid Films,158,93 (1988).
DasGupta, D.K. andAbdullah, M.J., J. Mater. Sci. Letters,7,167 (1988).
Kiernan, M.T. andDuke, Jr., J.C., “Acousto-Ultrasonics as a Monitor of Material Anisotrophy,”Mat. Eval.,46,1105–1113 (1988).
Duncan, R.K. andDillard, D.A., “Light-weight, Permanently Attachable NDE Sensors for Measuring Debonding and Delamination,”CASS/ESM 91-4 report, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA (May 1991)thane bonded joints with few air bubbles in the adhesive bond
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tang, B., Mommaerts, J., Duncan, R.K. et al. Nondestructive evaluation of model adhesive joints by PVDF piezoelectric film sensors. Experimental Mechanics 33, 102–109 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02322485
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02322485