A comparative analysis of acoustic emission sensor embedding in glass fibre composite

The manufacturing process of composite structures permits fully embedding acoustic emission (AE) sensors. While the embedding process may pose challenges, its advantages, if proven, can outweigh the challenges. The increased sensitivity resulting from embedding acoustic emission sensors in composites is still not definitively established. A test was set up with pre-determined AE initiation locations (surface and sub-surface) and pre-determined receiving sensor's location (surface and sub-surface) to ensure any sensitivity increase was evident. The receiving sensor's attenuation along (at 90°) and across the fibres (at 45°) was assessed using two test methods: pencil lead breaking (PLB) and actuator methods. The actuator method involved using two pulse generators, the TGP110 pulse generator and the Mistras FieldCal. A range of specific frequencies were utilised, 30, 60, 150 and 300 kHz, using the FieldCal. The results obtained from the test methods were not in agreement with each other. For example, comparing the sensitivity using surface cracks, the PLB method showed decreased sensitivity when embedding the receiving sensor compared to the actuator method, which demonstrated minimal changes in sensitivity. The research aims to clarify the sensitivity increase obtained when embedding an AE sensor while taking into account the crack's position and frequency.