AE based crack size estimates from delamination propagation in fiber reinforced thermoset composites

In previous research it has been shown that micro-crack sizes estimated from acoustic emission (AE) data recorded during Mode I interlaminar delamination propagation in a carbon fiber reinforced PEEK and micro-crack sizes seen in video recordings from simultaneously performed X-ray projection radiography with a contrast agent indicate reasonable agreement. Now the approach of estimating crack sizes from AE data is extended to a carbon and a glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminate, using the same matrix. In a first step sensitivity of the AE measurement is estimated based on recorded AE data and estimated delamination area. Different signal filtering approaches are applied to AE data resulting in different estimated sensitivities. Furthermore, assumed delamination area affects sensitivity. Optical microscopy is used to account for roughness of the delamination area. Depending on the assumed sensitivity, average crack size diameters are either slightly below or above 100 µm in both investigated laminates.