High-strain and deformation measurements using imaging and smart material sensors

The purpose of this paper is to present experimental testing results obtained by using a novel polymer high strain sensor, Metal RubberTM. Dynamic, quasi-static tensile and quasi-static bending tests are performed to study the sensor's change in resistance as a result of the application of various mechanical loads. The strain signal generated by the Metal RubberTM sensor is also compared to the strain measured by a set of optical imaging cameras during a high strain tensile test of a nylon fabric. The results of the aforementioned experiments indicate that the Metal RubberTM sensor exhibits non-linearity and hysteresis as compared to a conventional metal foil strain gage. In addition, time varying, stress hardening was observed in the sensor. Results of the dynamic tests demonstrated that the sensor could be used to determine the resonant frequencies of a cantilever beam, when compared to using an accelerometer or a metal foil strain gage.