Strain Sensing of Glass Fiber Reinforced Coupons by Using Carbon Nanotube Doped Resin

Addition of different percentages of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the mechanical behaviour of epoxy resin as well as glass fiber composite with symmetrical stacking sequence is assessed. GFRPs were manufactured with the vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. Performed tensile tests showed that the addition of the CNTs increased the modulus of elasticity with a simultaneously dramatic ductility decrease. The real merit of the CNT addition is the enhancement the composites multi-functionability; piezo-resistivity was recorded to further exploit the self-sensing ability of the innovative composites.