Monitoring Damage Progression in Tensile Tested SiCp/Al Composites Using Acoustic Emission

In this paper, the tensile tests of SiCp/Al composites were carried out, and the acoustic emission (AE) method was used to monitor the damage progress. The collected signals were analyzed in time-frequency domain. The AE signals were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy clustering method (FCM) to characterize the damage mode and failure mechanism of SiCp/Al composites. Three main damage modes of SiCp/Al composites were identified by FCM clustering: SiC/Al interface debonding, Al fracture and SiC particle fracture. After the tensile test, the fracture surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of SEM and energy spectrum analysis confirmed the results of AE. The research results of this paper provide experimental support for the design and engineering application of SiCp/Al composites.

Automated summary

In this paper, tensile tests were conducted on SiCp/Al composites and the acoustic emission method was used to monitor damage progression. The collected signals were analyzed in the time-frequency domain. The damage modes and failure mechanisms of SiCp/Al composites were characterized using principal component analysis and fuzzy clustering method on the AE signals. Three main damage modes were identified: SiC/Al interface debonding, Al fracture, and SiC particle fracture. The fracture surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy spectrum analysis, confirming the results of AE. The research results of this paper provide experimental support for the design and engineering application of SiCp/Al composites.