Title: Effect of jute fibres on post-impact behaviour of E-glass reinforced composites assessed through Acoustic Emission

Authors: Elena Mena Agresti, Claudio Caneva, Igor Maria De Rosa, Fabrizio Sarasini, Marco Valente

Addresses: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy

Abstract: The aim of this work was to assess the level of damage on hybrid jute/glass-polyester composites resulting from different impact energies through post-impact mechanical tests monitored by Acoustic Emission (AE). The specimens were impacted and then subjected to post-impact four-point bending. Four different impact energies were considered: 5 J, 10 J, 12.5 J and 15 J. To allow for a comparison, E-glass/polyester laminates were tested following the same procedures described above. The degree of impact damage, established in terms of the decrease of mechanical properties (namely flexural strength and modulus) as a function of increasing impact energy, has been correlated with the AE activity.

Keywords: natural fibres; jute fibres; hybrid composites; acoustic emission; low velocity impact; flexural testing; glass-polyester; impact damage; flexural strength; modulus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027818

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.30 - 46

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

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