Abstract
The aim of this paper is to study the damage mechanisms in a sandwich polymer structure that contains three layers: two polyolefin skins and the foam core (skin–foam–skin). Specific tests on structure associated with the acoustic emission (AE) technique and tomographic observations (RX) are used to identify the damage. Initially, a conventional tensile test was performed to correlate the acoustic emission with the initiation of plasticity and damage to a polyethylene sample. The results obtained are close to those observed in other studies and it is possible to separate the signal from cavitation and propagation of necking. The technique is then employed to capture the rupture of a polymer skin on a multilayer rotomoulded structure (bottle). Tests were carried out on this bottle under internal water pressure. Three tests are performed with more or less early interruptions in order to identify the first damage and understand their evolution. Different quantities (average frequency, RA value, etc.) are observed in order to quantify and understand the perceived damage. With the AE/RX correlation and mechanical behaviour, a scenario of structural damage is proposed.
Highlights
Sandwich materials are currently being used in an increasing number of industrial applications such as the marine, automotive, aerospace and aerospace industries
During the tensile test on the Lumicene mPE M4041 UV specimen, 24 AE events and 357 AE hits located in the area between the sensors are emitted and distinguished during acoustic emission recording
In relation to the load curve three zones are distinguished: the first from the beginning of the test to the maximum of the load corresponding to first damage and the neck initiation, the second zone corresponding to the decreasing force and the third where we observe the load plateau corresponding to neck propagation [42]
Summary
Sandwich materials are currently being used in an increasing number of industrial applications such as the marine, automotive, aerospace and aerospace industries. The properties of these materials can be modified by tuning the proportion of their constituents or the properties of the constituents themselves. These adjustments make it possible to achieve the desired properties to meet well identified applications. This type of structure is more advantageous than a traditional monolayer structure (metallic, composite or polymer) because it is characterized by its lightness, insulation, hardness, resistance to fatigue, flexibility, high level of rigidity, high flexural strength, low surface density, etc.
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