THE INFLUENCE OF MATRIX RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES ON ACOUSTIC-EMISSION AND DAMAGE ACCUMULATION IN GRP TUBES

In this study, the effect of matrix properties on the acoustic emission response of glass fibre reinforced plastic tubes has been investigated. Two kinds of composite materials have been considered, differing essentially in the matrix: one is a polyester-based composite and the other a vinylester-based composite. It is shown that the viscoelastic behaviour of the matrix can affect the acoustic emission response (i.e. the damage accumulation rate of the composites). This is observed throughout different experimental methods, essentially by checking the effect of the influence of hygrothermal ageing, which influences the rheological properties of the pure matrix on the Felicity ratio measurement, and also by measuring the influence of strain rate on the mechanical response of the tested composite.