The influences of contamination on the mechanical properties of a cured structural carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite have been investigated. A wide range of contaminants have been used (water, seawater, acid, alkali and organic solvent) and samples were contaminated in both the pre- and post-cure condition. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), interlaminar fracture toughness (GIC) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the laminates have been determined using the short beam shear, double cantilever beam and tensile tests. In both conditions, the effects of contaminants were to degrade the epoxy matrix. Although concentrations and volumes in this study were higher than normally seen in a laminating environment, it is clearly important to control environmental factors during both manufacturing processing and usage of laminate composites.
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