Methodology for the preparation of polymer samples containing silicon microchips for mechanical testing

To produce monitoring systems for plastic pipes one option is to distribute sensors within the plastic matrix. However, little is known of the effects of these sensors on the structural integrity of the pipes. Although testing the whole pipe structure would be ideal, to understand this problem at a fundamental level, small polymer samples were produced in the laboratory using compression moulding. This article describes new methods of inserting discrete square and circular silicon microchips of a few millimetres in size at different positions and orientations into pipe-grade polymer highlighting the importance of controlling the manufacturing conditions.