City Research Online

Abstract

IEEE In many applications in industry, securely attaching fiber optic sensors to metallic structures is important for optimum monitoring, overcoming the limitations of glues and adhesives which are known to degrade under certain circumstances. To avoid that problem, creating a metallic bond to attach the sensors securely to the metal surface is important. Commercial fiber optics with metal coatings can be used but it is important not to damage the sensor itself which is written in the thin optical fiber. In this work an alternative laser cladding technology has been studied for embedding metal coated fiber optics into which Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors have been written. A three-step strategy was selected for embedding the metal coating fibers to create the best conditions to allow high quality measurements to be made. This has been seen to allow good control of the embedding process to be achieved and to minimize the thermal and mechanical stress generated. The research undetaken has shown that it is possible to embed Cu and Ni coated fiber optics containing sensors to over 300 & #x03BC;m with low losses, of between 0-1.5 dB (or 0-30%) and yet still enable satisfactory strain and temperature measurement results to be obtained. The research has shown that both Ni and Cu coated FBG-based fiber optic sensors could be embedded successfully and shown to give good mechanical and thermal response to similar non-embedded sensors and give excellent cross-comparison with the conventional gauge used for calibration. The results are therefore particularly encouraging for the use of sensors of this type when incorporated to create metallic & #x2018;smart structures & #x2019; achieving durability of the sensors through the use of this innovative technique.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Publisher Keywords:	Embedded fiber optic sensors, Fiber optic sensors, Fiber Bragg Grating, FBG sensor, harsh environments, metal coating fiber, smart structures, laser cladding.
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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