Environmental Durability of Fibre-Reinforced Composites

• Main Authors: Ketsiri KUESENG, AJ CERVENKA, Robert J YOUNG
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Walailak University 2011-12-01
• Series: Walailak Journal of Science and Technology
• Subjects: Raman spectroscopy; Shear-lag parameter; Durability; Interfacial failure; Hygrothermal effects
• Online Access: http://wjst.wu.ac.th/index.php/wjst/article/view/198

The durability of the composites has been assessed in terms of the shear-lag parameter, n through the use of Raman spectroscopy. The decrease of the shear-lag parameter indicates damage due to hygrothermal ageing. The stability of the specimens subjected to the wet and dry conditions has been compared by the determined n. The n values for the wet composites have been found to decrease faster than those of the dry ones. The composites exposed to water vapour and liquid water environments were also investigated in terms of the moisture content, the mid-fibre strain and the debond length. There was no interfacial debonding for the specimen exposed to water vapour whilst the ones aged in the liquid water experienced such failure.