GFRP Composites Doped with Graphene Oxide Three-Point Bending Damage Detection using Acoustic Emission Technology

This study investigates the effects of graphene oxide (GO) doping on the mechanical performance and damage behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites using acoustic emission (AE) technology. A series of GFRP specimens doped with varying concentrations of graphene oxide (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) were subjected to three-point bending tests to evaluate their flexural strength, stiffness, and failure modes. The addition of graphene oxide to GFRP composites was found to enhance both the load-bearing capacity and energy absorption, with optimal performance observed at 1.5% GO doping. Acoustic emission monitoring was employed during testing to detect and characterize real-time damage progression. AE signal analysis revealed that graphene oxide doping influences the initiation and propagation of damage, leading to changes in crack patterns, matrix failure, and fiber-matrix interactions. A correlation between AE signal features (amplitude, frequency, and energy) and specific failure mechanisms such as delamination, matrix cracking, and fiber pull- out was established.