Characterization of CNTs-reinforced interfaces for surface mounted piezoelectric actuators

An investigation was performed to characterize the adhesive interface reinforced with a Carbon Nanotube carpet between a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and a hosting structure. The CNTs on the interface are fully dispersed and oriented in the adhesive. Both mechanical shear tests and microscopic evaluations were performed to characterize the interface. The preliminary test results showed an improvement in interfacial shear strength up to nearly 300%. However, a wide data dispersion was observed. With the help of a thorough microscopic examination of the bond interface, it seems to indicate that the bond strength is strongly related to the ratio between CNTs length and the physical gap between the structure and the actuator (Lc/H). It is shown also that the failure modes vary according to this ratio. Although the result is quite promising, a direct link to and understanding of the observed physical phenomenon are still not clear.