Multifunctional Carbon Nanotube Film Composite for Structure Health Monitoring and Damping

The goal of this work is to develop and investigate the properties of a new type of multifunctional composite which is based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The composite was prepared from a MWCNT "bucky pa- per" film which was sandwiched between two adhesive layers. Both two point probe and four point probe methods were used to test its mechanical strain sensing properties. The Young' modulus and shear modulus of MWCNT film composite were acquired by the nanoindentation test and direct shear test. A free vibration test was also performed to investigate its structural damping properties. Our research indicated that this new type of carbon nanotube based composite is potentially capable of functioning as a strain sensor and damping device simultaneously for structural vibration control.