Application of acoustic emission and scleroscopy for the analysis of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic samples with different degrees of matrix curing

Abstract

Samples made of a 1.6 mm thick carbon fiber-reinforced plastic sheet with different curing modes were loaded in the elastic region according to the cantilever bending scheme. Acoustic emission was recorded using an oscilloscope. The microhardness characteristics were used as criteria evaluating the degree of matrix curing which was evaluated on the face surface of the samples and in its cross section at fixed distances from the face surface. Dependences of the frequency, amplitude of acoustic signals, temperature, deflection value and distance to the sample surface on the matrix microhardness were established. The studies showed that the value of matrix microhardness is a relevant criterion evaluating the influence of the mode of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic molding.

Keywords

• carbon fiber-reinforced plastic
• curing modes
• microscopic studies
• acoustic emission method
• scleroscopy
• microhardness