Modifying the Refractive Index of Epoxy Resins Using Reactive Diluents to Enable Optical Self-Sensing in E-Glass Fibre Composites

Abstract:

Optical self-sensing employs the reinforcing fibres as self-sensing elements thus eliminating the need for additional sensing elements in smart materials. At present optical self-sensing systems employ expensive optical adhesives to lower the refractive index of the matrix as the refractive index of the cladding material must be lower than the light-guiding glass fibres. In this study the refractive index of an aerospace certified, commercial laminating resin (Araldite LY5052/Aradur HY5052) was reduced with propylene carbonate, (a commercial reactive diluent). This modified resin with lower refractive index facilitated light transmission through impregnated E-glass reinforcing fibres used as optical self-sensing elements in composites. The effects of propylene carbonate addition on the mechanical properties of the epoxy were also analysed and presented here.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 625)
• Pages: 90-93
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.625.90
• Online since: September 2014
• Authors: Abdul Rauf*, R.J. Hand, S.A. Hayes
• Keywords: Damage Detection, E-Glass Fibres, Epoxy Resin (ER), Optical Sensing, Reactive Diluents, Refractive Index, Self-Sensing, Smart Materials

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