Contribution
Assessment of Fibre-Matrix Adhesion in Reinforced Polymers by Modal Damping of Guided Acoustic Waves
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Continuous fibre-reinforced polymers have applications in a number of different industries, including automotive and aerospace. The adhesion between the polymer matrix and the embedded fibres has a significant impact on the elastic properties of these composite components. Prior research has demonstrated that environmental factors, such as humidity, may lead to a deterioration in fibre-matrix adhesion, indicating the necessity for the development of a non-destructive testing method.The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of fibre-matrix adhesion on the properties of guided acoustic waves in plate-shaped specimens. Samples with modified fibre-matrix adhesion are manufactured by varying the quantity of coupling agent in the polymer. The behaviour of broadband acoustic waves is observed in the samples using a laser-induced, thermoelastic excitation. The spatiotemporal measurement data of the propagating waves is acquired and analysed in order to obtain information regarding the acoustic damping exhibited by each mode in the plate. Correlations between modal damping and fibre-matrix adhesion are investigated. To quantify the influence of the fibre-matrix adhesion on the samples' material behaviour, a viscoelastic material model is identified by solving an inverse problem in order to match the observed modal damping with the output of a waveguide simulation model.