Pressure-sensitive-paint force transducers

In this work, the performance of direct-load-measuring transducers of the recent “pressure-sensitivepaint” variety is critically analyzed. The characteristics of laboratory-prepared and commercial load cells incorporating this paint are studied. For the transducers tested, the conclusion reached was that these cells are unreliable in their load-indicating properties. The application of pressure-sensitive paints of this type in the measurement of other quantities such as pressure, strain and acceleration would appear unjustified because of the poor results obtained in the measurement of simple, direct loads.