Characterization of Fiber Optics Integrity Under Several Embedding Parameters in Smart Materials

Single or array FBGs in fiber optics are embedded inside materials through various processes where sometimes integrity of the fibers may not be guaranteed. This paper reports on investigations of various aspects securing integrity of the measurements received from these sensors under various conditions of strains, temperature and geometry of sensors placement while embedding at materials subsurface. FBGs are very sensitive and delicate in the manipulation but offer great comprehensive measurement depending on the applications. These are required for the manual and automated embedding process of the fibers inside metals and hence the tensile, bending and temperature tests. The results have shown that if no adequate conditions of embedding are used, the sensors can be damaged and hence measurement readings can be severely affected. These conditions will constitute the parameters in the process control to be defined and monitored while embedding the sensors.