Abstract
Glass fibre composites subjected to hot water exhibit a reduction in stiffness and strength owing to a combination of matrix plasticisation and fibre/matrix interfacial degradation. If the composite system is subjected to some form of mechanical damage such as cracking from an external impact, the net consequence of water exposure is more difficult to predict.
This paper reports on the effects of water exposure at two temperatures (65 and 93°C) on non-crimp, quadriaxial, glass fabric systems with a polyester matrix. The residual properties are measured using the compression after impact test. It is shown that the residual properties of laminates tend to reach a minimum plateau after extended exposure to water, the value of which is dependent on the temperature of the water. It is also seen that the effects of impact damage vary depending on whether or not the impact is experienced before or after the water exposure. Impacting after conditioning produces a greater density of through thickness damage, which results in a lower compression after impact strength than impacting before conditioning.
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