This paper focus on evaluation of behavior, damage and failure processes occurring during the loading cycles in the carbon fiber reinforced composite by acoustic emission method. Since acoustic emission is physical phenomenon that detects the released energy in form of waves spreading through the material due to stimulation of material by external or internal stress, it is possible to evaluate complex damage and failure processes. For that purpose, the standard and open holes tensile testing specimens with different number of plies were manufactured. Selected acoustic emission parameters were correlated with data obtained from mechanical test. Linear localization method together with signal analysis using Fast Fourier transform algorithm were used as another tool for detection and evaluation of spreading damage processes inside the composite during the load. Basic damage types inside the composite material were identified by metallographic analysis using light microscopy. More complex damage processes were observed on the fracture surface using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Mechanical behaviour and damage mechanisms analysis of a flax-fibre reinforced composite by acoustic emission