FUNDAMENTAL STUDY ON INTEGRITY EVALUATION METHOD FOR COPVS BY MEANS OF ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING

摘要

It is important to evaluate the integrity of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used for space applications. In this study, applicability of acoustic emission (AE) monitoring to the integrity evaluation of COPV materials was evaluated by using coupon-level specimens. It was found that by evaluating emissions during load-hold and relationship between AE signal peak amplitude and duration, damage occurrences during the test can be monitored. We also found that Kaiser effect and Felicity effect can be used for evaluating previously induced damages. Detectable minimum damage size for previously induced damage by AE method may be same or less than those by ultrasonic testing.