Interface Assessment of FRP by Alternating DSC and FTIR Imaging Techniques

Abstract

The quality of the interface of any fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material is critical for its structural and functional integrity. The present work gives an assessment of the degradation in glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composite under thermal andhumid conditions. Micro-composites have been employed for this study in order to get a better picture of the physical and chemical changes taking place at the interface. UV and microwave heating techniques were used for the curing process. The samples were exposed to a relative humidity of 95% for 10 hours at a temperature of 60ºC. The DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) curves manifested an increase in glass transition temperature (Tg), of the composite material, due to curing process and hygrothermal exposure. The FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) images further supported the assumption that increase in Tg may be attributed to formation of hydrogen double bonds. Some SEM photographs were also taken to depict the physical changes occurring in the composite, especially in the resin.