Damage characterization of woven fabric composite using acoustic emission method: warp and bias directions

Abstract

Glass/epoxy woven-fabric composites are frequently employed in different composites in light of their specific properties. Due to the use of such composites in sensitive industries and the need for constructing structures with high reliability, it is necessary to characterize and monitor damage in structures. Acoustic emission (AE) is among the best monitoring methods. This study utilized single-layered plain-woven and twill-woven fabrics as reinforcement. The fabricated specimens were subjected to tensile loading and AE at the same time in warp and bias (45 degree) directions. Three failure mechanisms were identified in the composites by using frequency and energy. The wavelet transform results revealed matrix failure, interface failure (i.e. the separation of fabrics from the matrix), and fiber failure to be the dominant failure mechanisms. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was exploited to validate the results. The results showed the satisfactory performance of AE in monitoring the tensile failure of glass/epoxy woven-fabric composites.

Keywords:

• Woven fabric composite
• acoustic emission
• fiber damage
• matrix damage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.