Nickel plating of FBG strain sensors for nuclear applications

Marcus Perry; Pawel Niewczas; Michael Johnston; John Mackersie

doi:10.1117/12.885931

18 May 2011 Nickel plating of FBG strain sensors for nuclear applications

Marcus Perry, Pawel Niewczas, Michael Johnston, John Mackersie

Proceedings Volume 7753, 21st International Conference on Optical Fiber Sensors; 77538G (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.885931
Event: 21st International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors (OFS21), 2011, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract

We present a method for plating FBG strain sensors with a strongly-bonded, hermetic nickel layer, without exposure of the fiber to corrosive environments. A 1μm thick, highly adhesive chrome layer is deposited onto bare fibers via evaporation. Addition of an inert and electrically conductive gold layer then allows the fiber to be electroplated with a 50-100μm nickel layer. Finite element models have confirmed that nickel plated FBG sensors can be brazed into steel structures and used to monitor local strain and temperature. Embedding gratings that are temperature and radiation resistant will be particularly applicable to the structural health monitoring of steel prestressing tendons used in the concrete containments of nuclear power plants and other safety-significant structures.

Citation Download Citation

Marcus Perry, Pawel Niewczas, Michael Johnston, and John Mackersie "Nickel plating of FBG strain sensors for nuclear applications", Proc. SPIE 7753, 21st International Conference on Optical Fiber Sensors, 77538G (18 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.885931

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