Analysis of surface defects in composites using digital image correlation and acoustic emission

Abstract

This work employs the acoustic emission (AE) method for material state monitoring. AE presents a non-destructive evaluation technique, which could be used for detection of microstructural changes in composite material. Work describes the process of acquisition of AE in tensile loading of carbon composite materials. In course of tensile stress, the composite was monitored with optical method, applying principles of digital image correction (DIC). Optical stereovision method enables calculation of field shift and field of proportional deformation at composite surface. The objective is analysis of damage in carbon composite materials and employ the methodology of AE signal processing for facilitation of early damage diagnostics and prediction of structural failure. For this purpose, the experimental setup was designed to obtain results from 50 nominally identical composite samples in tensile loading test. Force load applied on samples was synchronically recorded along with AE and image data. Experimental data were subsequently analysed in a way enabling the description of typical phenomena in course of every measurement. Results show that observation of AE sources could be employed in facilitation of early damage diagnostics and establishment of failure prognosis. It is about internal changes in composite material.