Damage-Sensing Capabilities of GFRP Composites through Carbon Nanofillers for Advanced Structural Health Monitoring

This study investigates the use of carbon nanofillers, specifically multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), to enhance the damage-sensing capabilities of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRP) composites. Nanocomposites were fabricated by incorporating 2.0 wt.% of MWCNTs and CNFs into the epoxy matrix, followed by mechanical and electrical testing. The results demonstrated significant improvements, with the fatigue life increasing by 165% for CNFs/GFRP and 218% for MWCNTs/GFRP compared to neat GFRP. Stiffness also increased due to the re-orientation of nanofillers during cyclic loading. Electrical conductivity changes, measured in real time, provided a reliable metric for detecting damage, particularly microcracks. CNFs/GFRP composites showed superior sensitivity, with up to 100% conductivity change, making them ideal for real-time structural health monitoring. These findings highlight the potential for using carbon nanofillers in advanced smart composites, with applications in industries such as aerospace and civil engineering. Future research should explore optimizing nanofiller performance and investigating other composite materials for enhanced damage detection and durability. Keywords: Damage Sensing, GFRP, Carbon Nanotubes, Carbon Nanofibers, Fatigue Loading, Engineering applications.