Flexural strain sensing using carbon nanotube film

Abstract

Strain sensing characteristic of carbon nanotubes has been established in the past at nanoscale. In this study, it is shown that the carbon nanotube film sensors, made up of randomly oriented carbon nanotubes, can be used as strain sensors at macro level. A nearly linear trend between the change in voltage, measured using a movable four point probe, and strains, measured using conventional electrical strain gage, indicates the potential of such carbon nanotube films for measuring flexural strains at macro level. Isotropic strain sensing capability of the carbon nanotube film sensors, due to randomly oriented carbon nanotubes, allows multidirectional and multi‐location measurements.