An RFID smart structure using inkjet-printed additive manufacturing technology for metal crack characterization

Abstract Developing an indicator for metal materials to characterize cracks is urgent. However, traditional sensor-based technology has drawbacks such as high costs for installation and maintenance when using wired connections. In this paper, we studied the Radio Frequency Identification sensors created through three-dimensional printing technology to characterize surface cracks in metals. This approach simplifies the manufacturing process, silver nanoparticles are printed layer by layer on substrate to form the sensor pattern. The functionality of the sensor is verified through simulations and experiments involving samples with various crack sizes. Our findings demonstrate that when cracks pass over the sensor, there is a distinct response in terms of a shift in resonant frequency, moreover, the sensor offers a reading range greater than 0.7 m at resonance frequency without requiring power supply or wired connection for data transmission purposes. This research showcases the design of a smart structure that is compact, easy-to-fabricate, and potential for applications related to structural health monitoring and crack sensing.