Qualification of smart composites for use in aerospace applications

For smart materials to become widely used in aerospace applications, a number of stringent requirements concerning their performance in various operating environments have to be satisfied. Laboratory scale test procedures have been developed to assess the suitability of piezoceramic/carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites with embedded as well as surface-bonded actuators for active vibration and shape control of aerospace structures. In experimental and analytical investigations various composite configurations were evaluated with respect to the resulting actuation capability as well as the compatibility with various operation conditions.