A Comparative Study of Effects on Characteristic Properties of FRP Composites When Exposed to Distilled Water, Nacl-Water Solution and Sea Water Separately

Abstract

A comparative study of effects on characteristic properties of FRP composites when exposed to Distilled water, NaCl- water solution and sea water separately was done.Composite of E- glass fiber reinforced in epoxy resin (araldite LY556) in 40:60 weight ratios was used. Samples were immersed for 2, 4, and 8 days in the three mediums separately at 60°C and 95% humidity in a humid chamber. ILSS values were calculated using INSTRON 1195. It was found that all solutions marginally degraded the mechanical property this was mainly the result of polymer hydrolysis. The diffusivity was found to be maximum in case of 3.2% NaCl solution and minimum in sea water. The immersion in sea water had least affect on mechanical properties. As evidenced by SEM micrographs, the worst case of damage involved large amount of debonding and fiber pullout in case of 3.2% NaCl solution, while sea water least affecting the matrix.