An investigation of the influence of moisture on fatigue damage mechanisms in a woven glass-fibre-reinforced PA66 composite using acoustic emission and infrared thermography

International audienceA woven glass-fibre-reinforced composite with a polyamide 6,6 matrix is considered for the purpose of being integrated into an automotive part. Fatigue tests were conducted on both [(0/90)3] and [(±45)3] stacking sequences. In order to analyze the influence of moisture content on the fatigue behaviour, samples were conditioned at RH0, RH50 and RH100. Although moisture content affects the fatigue life for high stress levels, this effect tends to disappear for low stress levels. This phenomenon was confirmed by additional fatigue tests in a climatic chamber. This paper aims to investigate damage mechanisms developing within the material during fatigue test in order to understand the origin of this phenomenon. Two in-situ non-destructive techniques were used in order to detail the fatigue damage scenario: namely, acoustic emission and infrared thermography. These techniques allow locating and differentiating the main damage mechanisms: matrix cracking, fibre/matrix debonding and fibre breakages. In addition, microscopic observations and synchrotron X-ray microtomography were realized on fatigue coupons to visualize fibre breakages. Results have highlighted an increase in the amount of fibre breakage when the applied fatigue stress decreases, which explains the observed phenomenon

Development of a laser shock adhesion test for the assessment of weak adhesive bonded CFRP structures

Adhesive bondin,g bas a great poœnlial far future ligbtweight bigb-loaded structures in the a.eronautic industiy. A preœquisite for sucb an application is dtat the bond quality of the adhesive joint can be assessed in a non-destructive way. However, the use of da.ssicaJ Non•DesiiUctive Techniques (NDT) does not aUow the evaluation of the adhesion stren,gt:h of an adhesive bond yet This paper pn!sents an investigation made on weak composite bonds in on!er to develop a laser shock wave adhesion test First, the procedure to produce controlled weak bonds is desaibed. CFRP bonded samples are pn!pared in a spedfic way and characterized by ultrasonic techniques to assess the absence of any detectable defect. 1ben, for sorne of the .samples, their bond streDgth is evaluated by mechanical destructive œsts and ether .samples are loaded by v.arious intensity lasers shocks. The obtained results help to understand the behavior of the composite bonds under Jaser shock loading:. thanks to two post-mortem techrùques. 1becorrelation between the laser parameterS and the induced damage is demon.strated, The potential of the laser shock. technique to dl.saiminate different bond quallties is shawn, and the need for the œst optinùzationlsdÛ(

Laser shock adhesion test numerical optimization for composite bonding assessment

The present work presents the latest development of laser shock adhesion test (LASAT) technology, targeting the weak bond detection in bonded aeronautic structures. This problematic is still holding back a wider use of bonding, which could however be a significant breakthrough in the way of assembling parts. By mechanically loading the bondline thanks to laser-induced shock waves, LASAT acts as proof test to reveal the presence of local weaknesses. In the present paper, focus is made on the optimization of the laser shock parameters regarding the assembly to test. Objective is to avoid loading too much the composite, thus avoiding damage, to increase the test performances. Numerical modelling is used, following a specific methodology, to understand the phenomena and identify the key parameters. The basic laser shock configuration was first investigated. Due to the stress distribution, this setting allows one to test a bond whose strength is equal or below 40% of composite inter-laminar strength. The effects of the laser focal spot on the stress distribution are also quantified. A 4 mm diameter shows good performances for the assembly to test. For the first time, three different optimizations are proposed: tunable pulse duration, double pulses on the front face and symmetrical laser shocks. They are first theoretically described. Numerical results then support these configurations’ performances. The double pulse solution makes it possible to test a bond strength equal or inferior to 80% of composite inter-laminar strength, when symmetrical pulses enable to reach 100% thanks to a sharp stress distribution. These results are validated by experimental evidence that is also presented. Finally, the present work offers helpful information for the development and deployment of LASAT for aeronautic bonded structures

Observation of the shock wave propagation induced by a high-power laser irradiation into an epoxy material

The propagation of laser-induced shock waves in a transparent epoxy sample is investigated by optical shadowgraphy. The shock waves are generated by a focused laser (3 ns pulse duration—1.2 to 3.4TWcm−2) producing pressure from 44 to 98.9 GPa. It is observed that the shock wave and the release wave created by the shock reverberation at the rear face are both followed by a dark zone in the pictures. This corresponds to the creation of a tensile zone resulting from the crossing on the loading axis of the release waves coming from the edge of the impact area (2D effects). After the laser shock experiment, the residual stresses in the targets are identified and quantified through a photoelasticimetry analysis of the recovered samples. This work results in a new set of original data which can be directly used to validate numerical models implemented to reproduce the behaviour of epoxy under extreme strain rate loading. The residual stresses observed prove that the high-pressure shocks can modify the pure epoxy properties, which could have an influence on the use made of these materials

A study of composite material damage induced by laser shock waves

A laser shock wave technique has been used to study the damage tolerance of T800/M21 CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite material with different lay_ups. Different levels of damage have been created according to various laser irradiation conditions. Several characterization methods such as Optical Microscopy, X-ray Radiography, or Interferometric Confocal Microscopy have been used to quantify these defects. The nature of the defects induced by the shock wave propagation has been studied. The sensitivity of the composite material damage to the shock conditions has been shown and quantified. Moreover, the experimental results gathered with each technique have been compared to each other and it leads to a better understanding of the CFRP behavior under high dynamic loading. These original results have enabled the definition of a specific damage criterion for CFRP under dynamic loading

Quantitative analysis by micro-CT of damage during tensile test in a woven hemp/epoxy composite after water ageing

International audienceThe influence of water ageing on the evolution of damage during tensile loading in woven hemp/epoxy composites is studied. First, the water uptakes of several types of samples are compared. Micro-CT observations show that, from the beginning of desorption but not during the water ageing, damage appears in the composites. At macroscopic scale, tensile tests reveal a significant modification of mechanical properties of the composite after water ageing. Then, an original test, combining tensile loading and X-ray microtomography, is performed on a ±45 hemp/epoxy composite material. The volume of damage inside two specimens (with and without water ageing) at several steps during a tensile test can be quantified. Results highlight significant differences in the evolution of the volume of damage between the two samples. This work shows how the mechanisms of deformation and damage of plant fibre composites are governed by their moisture exposure history

Electro-mechanical characterisation and damage monitoring by acoustic emission of 3D printed CB/PLA

Even though the influence of the printing direction on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed samples by fused filament fabrication is established in the literature, very little is known about mechanical and electrical coupling. In this study, electrically conductive polylactic acid filled with carbon black particles undergoes monotonic and repeated progressive tensile loading to better understand the influence of the printing direction on the electro-mechanical properties of three-dimensional-printed samples. The objective is to analyse the electro-mechanical behaviour of this composite for its potential application as an actuator. The classical laminate theory is also applied to evaluate the relevance of this theory in predicting the mechanical characteristics of this material. In addition, a comprehensive damage analysis is performed using acoustic emission, infrared thermography, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray microcomputed tomography imaging. Results show that the degradation of the mechanical and electrical properties is highly influenced by the printing direction. The appearance and development of crazes in 0° filaments are highlighted and quantified. The conclusions drawn by this study underline the interest in using longitudinal and unidirectional printing directions to improve the conductive path within the samples. Furthermore, the evolution of the resistance throughout the experiments emphasizes the need to control the implemented voltage in the design of future electro-thermally triggered actuators

Numerical modeling of laser-induced shock experiments for the development of the adhesion test for bonded composite materials

In this work, laser shock experiments on composite material are modeled. Focus is made on the development of a reliable numerical model to be used for the laser shock wave adhesion test of bonded composites. Technique principle is explained as well as the laser shock experiment procedure. Then, the numerical investigations are presented. A calibration method is given to set the model input parameters, and the modeling choices are detailed. Dynamic material parameters are identified thanks to experimental results, and validated through a complete campaign of laser shocks on various carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials (monolithic and bonded). Finally, numerical results for bonded composites are discussed. They enable to understand the stress distribution within the composite assembly during the wave propagation. This is a key step toward the development of a reliable and controlled laser shock adhesion test

Experimental and numerical investigations of shock and shear wave propagation induced by femtosecond laser irradiation in epoxy resins

In this work, original shock experiments are presented. Laser-induced shock and shear wave propagations have been observed in an epoxy resin, in the case of femtosecond laser irradiation. A specific time-resolved shadowgraphy setup has been developed using the photoelasticimetry principle to enhance the shear wave observation. Shear waves have been observed in epoxy resin after laser irradiation. Their propagation has been quantified in comparison with the main shock propagation. A discussion, hinging on numerical results, is finally given to improve understanding of the phenomenon