CB/PDMS Based Strain Gauge Using 3D Printed Mold

A carbon black (CB) /polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite based strain gauge was developed for bending measurements. The homogenous mixture of CB/PDMS composite was prepared by magnetic stirring and sonication process. The strain gauge was fabricated by depositing CB/PDMS composite into 3D printed mold. The capability of the strain gauge was investigated by flexing it on to surfaces, that were 3D printed, with varying radius curvature (ROC) ranging from 40 mm to 80 mm. The strain gauge response demonstrated an overall resistance change of ~9.73 %, ~6.03 %, ~4.41 %, ~3.42 and ~1.62 for ROC of 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, and 80 mm, respectively. The results demonstrate that a CB/PDMS composite strain gauge fabrication from a 3D mold can be utilized for bending applications. The electromechanical response of the fabricated strain gauge as a function of resistance is investigated and presented in this paper.