The Use of a PVDF Array to Measure the Stress Field Inside an Elastic Material

This paper reports a series of experimental and modeling investigations on two piezoelectric arrays made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. They were embedded inside rubber cylinders and used to directly measure the internal stresses generated by various external excitations applied to the top surface of the cylinder. Corresponding finite element (FE) models were established to reveal the relationship between the PVDF output and the stress field applied to it. This research improves the understanding of the output mechanism of the embedded PVDF and provides useful information for the design of PVDF sensors.