Study of dynamical behaviour of prepared mechanoluminescence impact sensor based on ZnS:Mn and SrAl2O4:Eu, Yb phosphors

This paper reports on the fabrication and behaviour of SrAl2O4:Eu, Yb (SAOEY) and ZnS:Mn mechanoluminescence (ML) sensor film of desired thickness, prepared by the doctor blade method. The ML sensor was fabricated by sandwiching the film between a solid transparent base and a non-transparent film protective coating or steel plate to observe ML characteristics. The induced ML behaviour of the fabricated sensor and its dynamical behaviour during the impact were recorded and analysed. The dynamical behaviour of the ML spot produced on the fabricated sensor film during the impact of the steel ball was found to be more intense at the center as compared to the outer area. In the sensor, fabricated with ZnS:Mn, the ML intensity is found to be nearly similar after the continuous dropping of the steel ball. The present study is useful to determine the dependence of ML intensity, area of luminous spot, and compression distance of the fabricated sensor film on impact velocity and gives the possibility to use in structural health monitoring systems.