Inherently smart laminates of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix

Real-time monitoring of fatigue damage and dynamic strain in inherently smart and continuous unidirectional (0° and 90°) and bidirectional (0°/90°) carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composites by electrical resistance (R) measurement was achieved. Upon cyclic tension (0°) of 0° or 0°/90° composites, R (0°) decreased reversibly, while R perpendicular to the fiber layers increased reversibly, though R in both directions changed irreversibly by a small amount after the first cycle. Upon fatigue testing of the 0° composite at a maximum stress of 57-58% of the fracture stress, the peak R (0°) in a cycle irreversibly increased both in spurts and continuously, due to fiber breakage, which started at 30% of the fatigue life. For the 90° composite, R(0°) increased reversibly upon tension (0°) and decreased reversibly upon compression (0°).