The film is used to assess pressure magnitude and distribution between
any two mating or impacting surfaces. The
film is a valuable aid in both the manufacture and design of bolted joints and
fasteners. The thin sensor film reveals how force is disbursed in bolted
assemblies, gasketed and flanged interfaces. When placed between impacting or
mating surfaces, the sensor film instantaneously and permanently changes color.
The intensity of this color is proportional to the amount of pressure applied,
allowing the user to quantify the stress characteristics across the surface. Applications
exist for manufacturing process control and machine/component inspection and
calibration. The sensor film’s spatial resolution is fine enough to expose
minute surface defects and fatigue marks. With a gauge of only four to eight mils,
the sensor film is thin and flexible, making it ideal for environments that
cannot accommodate traditional load cells and other transducers. It can be hand
or laser-cut to any size or dimension.