Identification of micro‐failure processes of HDPE‐henequen fiber composite material by using acoustic emission monitoring: Effect of fiber surface modification

Abstract It is well known that fiber‐matrix interface region is crucial to ensure an efficient stress transfer between matrix and reinforcement and that it controls the composite behavior when subjected to external loads. In this experimental study, micro‐damage mechanisms of HDPE/surface modified henequen fiber reinforced composites are investigated in tensile quasi‐static mode. Two essential parameters of the materials composition were taken as main indicators: fiber length and quality of the fiber matrix adhesion. Essential Work of Fracture theory (EWF) was applied on double edge notch tensile (DENT) specimen geometry. Acoustic Emission (AE) technique was coupled to composite samples to obtain the characteristics of stress waves signals to monitor in real time damage evolution and failure mechanisms detection. Results demonstrated the substantial effect of chemical bonds interaction in the interface area on the composite mechanical properties. The total fracture work (W_f) exhibited an increasing value in both components, W_e and W_p, in chemically treated fiber composites. Likewise, mechanical properties are reported to be higher by 37% in maximum load in such materials. Elastic waves detected by AE were identified and correlated to micromechanical events during composite damage sequence. Most of the signals corresponded to microcracks (signals of low amplitude, short duration), propagation of microcracks (signals of medium amplitude), fracture of fibers and matrix (signals of long duration and high amplitude). AE signals detected exhibiting higher energy were associated to an enhanced fiber/matrix interface.