Ice Pressure Measurements Using PVDF Film

Abstract

Abstract Piezoelectric ice pressure measuring devices have been constructed using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film. PVDF seems to be an appealing transducer material since it is light, thin, mechanically resistant and can be attached on surfaces with complicated geometries. Moreover, it is commercially available in large sheets. Dynamic ice pressure distribution can be monitored using various metalization patterns thus dividing the areas into many active cells. Because minimum mechanical deformation is needed for the piezoelectric phenomenon to take place, the device does not interfere with the quantity to be measured. It is believed that the material will help to shed light on the ice pressure formation process in crushing. The paper deals with full-scale experiments conducted using PVDF film on the contact surfaces of a test hammer and a cylindrical indentor, and describes the signal treatment used.