ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 7

The Effect of Hygrothermal History on Residual Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminates
Ishai, O
Associate professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology,

Arnon, U
Advanced composites project engineer, Israel Aircraft Industries, Ben-Gurion International Airport,

Abstract

Structural glass fabric/epoxy laminates were exposed to various periods of immersion in water at room and elevated temperatures and tested after oven drying. Changes in weight, dimensions, and mechanical characteristics with exposure indicated that immersion in hot water had a significant effect on residual weight loss and residual tensile strength. A correlation between these two variables could be derived which is independent of hygrothermal history. The observed deterioration of mechanical properties is attributable mainly to degradative processes to which the glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate is subjected as a result of water penetration processes that are accelerated at elevated temperature.

Keywords:
laminates, mechanical properties, reinforced plastics, hygrothermal history, residual strength, glass fiber, epoxy resin, degradation, weight loss, hot water exposure

Paper ID: JTE11670J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11670J
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