Damping Characterization of Non-Traditionally Formed Nanocomposite Plates

To address the need for a reliable and cost effective nanocomposite manufacturing technique, Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transform Molding (VARTM) method was used to form four carbon nanofiber (CNF) infused nanocomposite plates with differing weight percentages of CNF in the matrix. Using Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) piezoceramic patches as actuators and sensors, a sweep sine excitation signal was used to vibrate the plate and frequency domain response of the nanocomposite plates were analyzed using half-band power algorithm to determine the damping ratio of the plates. The results show that as the weight percentage of CNF in the nanocomposite increased, the damping ratio of the nanocomposite plates increased and the magnitude of the vibration response decreased significantly. Between a CNF free plate and a 1.5% weight CNF plate, over a two-fold decrease in amplitude in the vibration response was observed.