Mechanoluminochromic coating for impact detection on composite laminates

This thesis investigates the development of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system based on mechanoluminochromic coatings for high-performance CFRP laminates, in collaboration with Dallara Automobili S.p.A. The initial phase of the study focuses on optimizing the coating architecture for industrial automotive applications, identifying the most suitable configuration and additive concentration. Building on this foundation, the core of the research evaluates the coating’s sensitivity across different loading rates, Low-Velocity Impact (LVI) and Quasi-Static Indentation (QSI), and specimen geometries. This analysis aims to understand the scalability of the process and its viability in real-world applications. By employing an optimized image processing algorithm, this work evaluates the potential of smart coatings as a fast, cost-effective method for detecting Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID), providing a tool for advanced diagnostics in the automotive and motorsport sectors.