
Graphene nanoplatelets self-sensing adhesive for fibre reinforced plastics composite
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Early detection of damage is essential to prevent catastrophic failures and costly repairs, especially in critical infrastructures such as offshore wind turbine blades. In this study, a solvent‐free fabrication method combining mechanical mixing and ultrasonic treatment was used to produce a Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)‐enhanced adhesive that simultaneously achieves high electrical conductivity and robust mechanical performance. A range of GNP concentrations and different nanoplatelet sizes were investigated to establish the electrical percolation threshold while maintaining adhesive integrity [1]. By embedding the sensor (GNP) directly into the adhesive, the material itself becomes the sensor as an intrinsic part of the structure, enabling the detection of micro damage via subtle changes in electrical resistance. To realize a practical monitoring system, a multichannel wireless network was developed using an Arduino microcontroller coupled with a Bluetooth transceiver and an analog-to-digital converter, which together facilitate real-time data acquisition and remote transmission. Calibration with a precision benchtop multiplexer confirmed the system’s sensitivity and accuracy. Experimental evaluations on single-lap joints fabricated from both carbon fibre and glass fibre epoxy demonstrated a clear correlation between stress and resistance variation, validating the system’s performance under mechanical loading. Finite element modelling has also been employed to simulate the flow of current within the lap joint [2]. Although current results represent a feasibility study, the use of readily available commercial components highlights the potential for further integration into a single system-on-chip (SoC) solution for streamlined deployment. REFERENCES [1] Han, S., Meng, Q., Araby, S., Liu, T., & Demiral, M. (2019). Mechanical and electrical properties of graphene and carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy adhesives: Experimental and numerical analysis. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 120, 116-126. [2] Pawlik M, Le H, Lu Y. (2019) Effects of the graphene nanoplatelets reinforced interphase on mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced polymer – A multiscale modelling study. Compos Part B Eng,177.