Combined acoustic emission and multiple lead potential drop measurements in detailed examination of crack initiation and growth during interlaminar testing of ceramic matrix composites

This article presents a novel approach in which the methods of acoustic emission and direct current potential drop are utilized as complimentary techniques to monitor crack initiation and growth in interlaminar testing of ceramic matrix composites. The method presented here can be used in localizing cracks, monitoring of crack growth, and has potential to reveal the nature of damage. It is argued that using the first derivative of time dependent electrical resistance/potential drop provides information on individual events during the failure of a ceramic matrix composite under different types of loading. The results discussed here pertain to a particular method of testing for interlaminar properties of ceramic matrix composites. However, the use of presented approach can be extended to other testing methods and materials.