Strain Transfer Characteristics of Resistance Strain-Type Transducer Using Elastic-Mechanical Shear Lag Theory

• Main Authors: Yongqian Li, Zhigang Wang, Chi Xiao, Yinming Zhao, Yaxin Zhu, Zili Zhou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-07-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: strain transfer characteristics; resistance strain-type transducer; resistance strain gauge; four-layer and two-glue model; elastic–mechanical shear lag theory; sensitive grids
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/18/8/2420

The strain transfer characteristics of resistance strain gauge are theoretically investigated. A resistance strain-type transducer is modeled to be a four-layer and two-glue (FLTG) structure model, which comprises successively the surface of an elastomer sensitive element, a ground adhesive glue, a film substrate layer, an upper adhesive glue, a sensitive grids layer, and a polymer cover. The FLTG model is studied in elastic–mechanical shear lag theory, and the strain transfer progress in a resistance strain-type transducer is described. The strain transitional zone (STZ) is defined and the strain transfer ratio (STR) of the FLTG structure is formulated. The dependences of the STR and STZ on both the dimensional sizes of the adhesive glue and structural parameters are calculated. The results indicate that the width, thickness and shear modulus of the ground adhesive glue have a greater influence on the STZ ratio. To ensure that the resistance strain gauge has excellent strain transfer performance and low hysteresis, it is recommended that the paste thickness should be strictly controlled, and the STZ ratio should be less than 10%. Moreover, the STR strongly depends on the length and width of the sensitive grids.