• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2013

The electrical resistance measurement was investigated as a damage monitoring method. In this study, 0.5 wt% Carbon nanotube reinforced polypropylene (CNT/PP) composites were evaluated under compressive fatigue loading. The shape of specimens was $20^{\circ}$ curved round type. Compression strength and electrical resistance were measured at different sections of specimen during compression. The microcracks of CNT/PP composites were detected based on the changing ratio of electrical resistance. Micro-damage during compressive fatigue test could be detected by electrical resistance measurements. The reason is that the contact points of CNTs in composites decreased under fatigue loading. During compressive fatigue test, larger change of electrical resistance was detected at the microcrack sections. It was proved that microcracks could be detected by electrical resistance measurement under compression test, whereas the real delamination parts were consistent with the predicted results by electrical resistance measurement.