Autoclave reliability of MEMS pressure and temperature sensors embedded incarbon fiber composites

In this paper, embedding of surface mount pressure and temperature sensors in the carbon fiber composites are described. Commercially available surfac e mount pressure and temperature sensors are used for embedding in a compos ite lay-up of IM6/HST-7, IM6/3501, and AS4/E7T1-2 prepregs. The fabrication techniques developed here are the focus of this paper. A successful embedd ing procedure of pressure and temperature sensors in fibrous composites is described in detail. The description includes techniques for positioning an d insulating the sensors and the lead wires from the conductive carbon prep regs. Procedural techniques are developed and discussed for isolating the p ressure sensor's flow-opening, from the exposure to the prepreg epoxy flow and exposure to the fibrous particles, during the autoclave curing of the c omposite laminate. The effects of the autoclave cycle (if any) on the opera tion of the embedded pressure and temperature sensors are discussed.