Study of Acoustic Emission Signals During Crack Propagation in Multiscale Nano-Composites

Abstract

Polymer composites are gaining wide acceptance in industries for their high in-plane specific stiffness and specific strength. The damage these materials undergo are quite unique, and could limit or even prolong their usage on an even wider scale in critical sectors like the wind industry. De-lamination in laminated composites is a serious issue and could be attributed to de-bonding, matrix cracking and fibre rupture. Factors leading to delamination are weak fibre/matrix interface and brittle nature of the resins. Studies have shown that delamination could be controlled to some extend by altering the internal structure of the composites. Addition of nanotubes (CNTs) is one widely accepted method, for it has been shown that they bridge the crack growth. Six specimens classed into two groups-first without nanotubes (1.n, where

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.24.4.20535