Acoustic Emission Testing of Composite Vessels Under Sustained Loading.
Abstract
This paper describes a study of the acoustic emissions (AE) generated from Kevlar 49/epoxy composite pressure vessels subjected to sustained load-to-failure tests. The AE data from two different transducer locations on the vessels were compared. It was found that AE from vessel wall-mounted transducers showed a wide variance from those for identical vessels subjected to the same pressure loading. AE from boss-mounted transducers did, however, yield values that were relatively consistent. It appears that the signals from the boss-mounted transducers represent an integrated average of the emissions generated by fibers fracturing during the vessel tests. The AE from boss-mounted transducers were also independent of time for vessel failure. This suggests that a similar number of fiber fractures must occur prior to initiation of vessel failure. These studies indicate a potential for developing an AE test procedure for predicting the residual service life or integrity of composite vessels. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 11, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA305024
Entities
People
- P. E. Moorhead
- R. F. Lark
Organizations
- Glenn Research Center