Analysis of composite failure mechanisms using acoustic emission and ultrasonic scanning techniques

Acoustic emission data gained during testing of glass fibre-reinforced plastic tubular specimens under internal pressurization loading are presented, along with ultrasonic scanning traces of the test specimens and photomicrographs of samples cut from the test specimens. The data obtained by these tests indicate that fibre-reinforced composites exhibit two levels of failure: the first is that of matrix cracking, the second level is fibre fracture.