Structural Health Monitoring of Solid Rocket Motors' Propellant Using Polymer Optical Fibers

Polymer Optical Fibers are proposed for the monitoring of structural health condition of energetic materials in solid rocket motors. This photonic solution provides the necessary electromagnetic immunity and inherent electrical safety characteristics in the highly explosive environment of SRM's propellant. Furthermore the use of POF's intrinsic elasticity in contrast to silica fibers makes possible the monitoring of excessive strains apparent in the behavior of the energetic propellant. Both jacketed and unjacketed fibers were employed demonstrating excellent strain transfer characteristics able to monitor consistently propellant's behavior under strain.