The in-situ, real-time detection of delamination cracks in composite materials using z-pins is reported. Carbon fibre-epoxy composites were reinforced in the through-thickness direction with different volume content (up to 4%) or material type (composite, metal) of z-pins. Z-pins can reduce the through-thickness electrical resistivity of composites by several orders of magnitude (up to ∼10⁶), depending on their volume content and electrical properties. Z-pins create an electrically conductive pathway through-the-thickness of the otherwise resistive composite material (with an electrical resistivity of about 1.25 Ω m). Mode I interlaminar tests performed under static fracture and cyclic fatigue load conditions reveal that z-pins can be used to detect delamination cracking via changes to the electrical resistivity. The sensitivity of z-pins to changes in the resistivity caused by crack growth is influenced by their volume content, electrical conductivity and interfacial bonding with the composite material.

据报道，使用z销可实时，实时地检测复合材料中的分层裂纹。碳纤维-环氧树脂复合材料在厚度方向上以不同的z钉体积含量（最高4％）或材料类型（复合材料，金属）进行了增强。Z引脚可以将复合材料的全厚度电阻率降低几个数量级（最高约^{10 6}），具体取决于其体积含量和电性能。Z引脚在其他方式的电阻性复合材料的厚度范围内形成导电路径（电阻率约为1.25Ωm）。在静态断裂和循环疲劳载荷条件下进行的I型层间测试表明，Z形销可用于通过电阻率的变化检测分层裂纹。z引脚对由裂纹扩展引起的电阻率变化的敏感性受其体积含量，电导率和与复合材料的界面结合的影响。