Effect of jute fibres on post-impact behaviour of E-glass reinforced composites assessed through Acoustic Emission

The aim of this work was to assess the level of damage on hybrid jute/glass-polyester composites resulting from different impact energies through post-impact mechanical tests monitored by Acoustic Emission (AE). The specimens were impacted and then subjected to post-impact four-point bending. Four different impact energies were considered: 5 J, 10 J, 12.5 J and 15 J. To allow for a comparison, E-glass/polyester laminates were tested following the same procedures described above. The degree of impact damage, established in terms of the decrease of mechanical properties (namely flexural strength and modulus) as a function of increasing impact energy, has been correlated with the AE activity.