Accession Number:
ADA055729
Title:
Piezoelectric Polymer Transducers for Detection of Structural Defects in Aircraft.
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. 12 Jan-27 Apr 77,
Corporate Author:
PENNWALT CORP KING OF PRUSSIA PA CENTRAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPT
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1977-07-22
Pagination or Media Count:
22.0
Abstract:
A new, versatile thin flim material, PVF2 poly-vinylidene fluoride, has been fabricated into sensors for ultrasonic transducers because of its outstanding piezoelectric properties as well as its mechanical strength and chemical stability. PVF2 has a compliance ten times higher than that found in ceramics, and its g-constant voltage per unit stress is very high. Since the material can be made into very thin films, very wide-band electro-acoustic transducers can be incorporated into sensors that are flexible, variable in shape and a wide range of sizes. This fabrication versatility along with its relatively low cost, and its attractive piezoelectric, mechanical strength, and chemical stability makes this material a prime candidate for a large range of applications to monitor or inspect aircraft structures. A number of inspection techniques have been explored and are discussed. These include acoustic impact testing for ball bearing wear and crack formation in metal structures pulse-echo and transmission ultrasonics to inspect composites. Author
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Aircraft
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment
- Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods