Development and Application of an Acoustic Waveguide Technology to in-Process Cure and in-Service Dynamic Response Monitoring of Liquid Molded Composite Armor Smart Structures.

Report developed under SBIR contract A multi-functional ultrasonic sensor has been developed for liquid molding composite materials under this SBIR program. The sensor can be used to monitor a the flow of the resin during resin infusion, b the cure of composite parts and structures during the cure process, and c structural dynamic responses and damages after the part is placed in service. The sensor has a low profile and is embedded in the composites manufactured through processes such as Resin Transfer Molding RTM or Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Manufacturing Process SCRIMP. This report describes the research performed under the contract. It discusses the sensor development, operation and implementation. Through experimental results, the sensors sensitivity, capability and applications are also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the application to cure monitoring of thick composites. The potential for the same sensor to be used as smart sensor is presented through detection and monitoring of impact induced damage to the composite parts.