Resonance-based bonding detection for piezoelectric fiber composites

A resonance-based method is presented to determine the bonding conditions of piezoelectric fiber composite (PFC) patches attached to host structures. The PFCs are used to be functional materials by applying voltage through the interdigital electrodes symmetrically aligned on opposite surfaces of the composite patches. Interfacial debonds usually degrade the function. Only the edge debonds are taken into account in this paper. A partially debonded patch bears an in-plane extensional vibration if the interdigital electrodes are excited by a sinusoidal voltage. Electric impedance of the PFC patch adhered on an aluminum plate was measured in a broad frequency range to seek the resonant frequencies. The modal characteristics depend on the size of debond, material properties of the PFC, and stiffness of remaining adhesive in front of the edge debond. Extensional vibration of an elastic sheet is characteristic of the resonant frequencies being inversely proportional to the debonding length. The lowest several modes are considered. Experimental results indicate that self-detecting progressive debonding between the PFC patch and the host plate is feasible.