Recently, acoustic emission during hydroproof (AE/H) testing has been adopted for the quality assurance of filament-wound composite rocket motor (FCRM) cases. For the proper performance of this testing, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of elastic wave propagation in the FCRM case, since AE signals captured in this testing can very significantly according to various factors including its geometry and material properties. Furthermore, the optimization of the AE/H testing parameters is strongly desired based on this understanding for the suitable interpretation of the test results. To address such a need, we have conducted an experimental study on the analysis of the elastic wave propagation in the FCRM case. In the experiments, broadband ultrasonic waves radiated at a fixed point were received at many different locations after propagating through the FCRM case with different distances and/or directions. From the received signals, the characteristics of elastic wave propagation such as frequency components, the maximum propagation distances and velocity curves were investigated in two separate conditions: one with the case empty and the other with the case hydraulically pressurized. Based on this systematic investigation, the optimal frequency component of the elastic wave to be monitored in the AE/H testing of the FCRM case was determined successfully.
One of the key issues in acoustic emission (AE) during hydroproof test of filament-wound composite rocket motor cases is the determination of the optimal component of elastic wave to be monitored. To solve this problem, broadband ultrasonic wave was generated into a symmetrically filament-wound composite motor case, and was received at 105 different locations after the propagation through the composite case with different distances and directions. By analysis of the received signals, characteristics of elastic wave propagation such as frequency components, the maximum propagating distance, and velocity surface were investigated. This analysis was performed for two different conditions of the motor case; air-filled and hydraulically pressurized. Based on these information, the effect of hydraulic pressure on the wave propagation characteristics was investigated and furthermore, the optimal component of elastic wave for AE during hydroproof test of the motor case was successfully determined.
For reliable quality assurance of filament-wound composite rocket motor (FCRM) cases by use of acoustic emission during hydroproof (AE/H) testing, it is necessary both to detect defects introduced in fabrication process and to monitor damage done due to hydraulic pressurization. The circumferential wave, which has strong directivity and weak anisotropy in wave propagation in the particular FCRM case under present investigation, has high potential to address such a need. To explore these outstanding capabilities of the circumferential wave, two kinds of experiments were conducted. The pitch-catch measurements of the circumferential wave that propagated through the artificial slits demonstrated its high potential for detection of flaws. The experiments for AE source location using a particular, triangular layout of AE sensors declared its capability for monitoring of damages. Inspired from the experiments, new approaches to nondestructive evaluation of the given FCRM case were proposed using the circumferential wave: 1) an ultrasonic pitch-catch scanning and 2) an AE/H testing with a suitable triangular layout of AE sensors.
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