ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 5

Evaluation of Composite Failures through Fracture Signal Analysis

Mullin, JV
Proctor and Schwartz, Philadelphia, Pa.

Mehan, RL
General Electric Company, Space Sciences Laboratory, Philadelphia, Pa.

Abstract

This paper describes the use of acoustic monitoring techniques to identify specific failure mechanisms in composite materials. Because of their inherent complexity, composites exhibit a number of fracture modes depending on loading conditions and the properties and volume ratios of the constituents. The technique of fracture signature analysis attempts to use the frequency content and nature of the signals as a means for identifying specific critical events in the fracture process. Some of the difficulties associated with this technique are described together with a description of the techniques applied and results obtained with boron/epoxy.

Keywords:
acoustics, composite materials, failure, fractures (materials), acoustic signatures, fibers, analyzing

Paper ID: JTE10006J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10006J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.