High-Order Fiber Bragg Grating Corrosion Sensor Based on the Detection of a Local Surface Expansion

Abstract

This paper presents a fiber optic sensor for the detection of corrosion processes that occur on metal surfaces. In the proposed sensor design, a sensing fiber with an inscribed high-order Bragg grating is attached to the observed metal surface. A broadening of high-order Bragg grating spectral characteristics is observed and used to detect small and highly localized longitudinal strain variations that occur along the fiber as a result of corrosive rust flakes’ formations beneath the sensing fiber. The proposed approach provides a straightforward fabrication method, the possibility for unobtrusive mounting, including mounting of the sensor beneath the corrosion-protective layers, and consistent corrosion detection yields.