Characterization of direct deposit piezoelectric sensors for structural health monitoring applications

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Characterization of direct deposit piezoelectric sensors for structural health monitoring applications

Cusolito, Nicholas J. / Na, Jeong K. / Blackshire, James L. / Martin, Steven A.

The sol-gel spray-on PZT sensors investigated are comparable in most respects to conventional transducers commercially available today and displayed favorable properties when compared with an undamped single crystal transducers. They are unique as they can conform to curved surfaces and eliminate the need for acoustic coupling agents. The sensor samples evaluated operated at the required 5-10 MHz specification displaying less than a 2 MHz frequency fluctuation, corresponding to an estimated 30 micron thickness variation among all five transducers signifying well controlled deposition. Low harmonic distortion and high damping characteristics were observed and remained consistent between the spray-on sensors particularly when compared to the properties of the undamped single crystal transducer. Displacement amplitudes were consistent among four out of the five samples, varying in magnitude by no more than 25 %. Vibration durability tests to date have revealed no significant damage or frequency response alterations among sensor samples, and compare favorably with conventional single crystal transducer robustness. Future work will include continuing vibration durability testing, the addition of thermal cycling exposure tests, low energy impact tests, and testing of high temperature capable sensors applied to titanium test plates.