Actuator and sensor performance of piezo-metal-composites

New technologies for the fabrication of Multi-Layer-Composites with sensor and actuator functionality were used. The compounds consist of Macro-Fiber-Composites (MFC) embedded in a layer of epoxy adhesive between two aluminum sheets. Forming takes place in an uncured state of the adhesive, so that a relative displacement between the layers is possible. This paper deals with the experimental and numerical characterization of the actuator and sensor functionality dependent on different bending radii. A shaker initiates a defined deflection and the electrical answer of the integrated MFC is measured and simulated by use of an analytical sensor function model based on strain components. The actuator performance, measured with a distance laser sensor, was modeled with a voltage-temperature-analogy and compared with values from the experiment.