Abstract
This study examined the applicability of acoustic emission testing (AT) for the impact damage evaluation of CFRP pressure vessels. AE signals were detected during pressurization tests of CFRP pressure vessels. Five pressurization tests were performed to each of two vessels. After the third pressurization test, the impact test of 12-J or 15-J energy was conducted by using a drop-weight impact tester. As the pressurization test was repeated, the amount of AE hits became fewer before the impact test. After the impact test, however, the total AE hits increased temporarily. From these results, it is assumed that AT can be used for the impact damage evaluation of CFRP pressure vessels. In addition, there is some difference in the generating behavior of AE between two vessels. Since the impact energy differed with two vessels, a possibility that the grade of impact damage could be specified by AT was shown.
