Effects of Moisture Absorption and Test Method on the Properties of E-glass/Polyester Hull Laminates

Abstract

Effects of moisture absorption on the tensile, compressive, shear, bending and bending fatigue properties of an iso-polyester/E-glass hull laminate were studied. Fickian diffusion constants were found that closely modeled moisture absorption. Comparisons were made of standard moisture experiments using boiling water versus long-term exposure. Results indicated that the boiling water test yielded significantly conservative values. Fatigue endurance limits were found to be near 25% of static load, indicating a fatigue design factor of four is required for infinite service with this material. Coupon results were used with finite element analysis (FEA) to predict panel deformations and strains. Good correlation was achieved.

Keywords

moistureabsorption fatigue flexuraltesting marinecomposites finiteelementanalysis

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