Strain Sensor Based on Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Using the 3D Printing Technology for Improved Sensitivity

Abstract A new and easy-to-fabricate strain sensor has been developed, based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology embedded into a thermoplastic polyurethane filament using 3-dimensional (3D) printer. Taking advantage of the flexibility elastic properties material, embedding FBG provides durable protection with enhanced sensitivity, as compared to use bare FBG. Results an evaluation its performance have shown that sensors in this way can be applied effectively measurement strain, average wavelength responsivity 0.013 5 nm/cm displacement for tensile −0.014 2 compressive both showing linearity value up 99%. Furthermore, such FBG-based sensitivity ∼1.74 times greater than used is well protected suitable in-the-field use. It also observed (TPU-based) carries ∼2.05 higher polylactic acid (PLA-based) proving TPU material made choice “sensing” pad