Damage and Degradation Study of FRP Composites

Abstract

The present experimental study aims at assessing the different effects of the varying environments on the mechanical properties of FRP composites. The mechanical performance of a composite material is decisively controlled by the state of fiber-matrix interface . Its properties influence the integrity of composite behavior because of its role in transferring stress between the fiber and the matrix. The factors affecting the interface are too complex to be precisely concluded. Fibrous composites are increasingly being used in many casual as well as critical applications owing to various desirable properties including high specific strength, high specific stiffness and controlled anisotropy. But unfortunately polymeric composites are susceptible to heat and moisture when operating in changing environmental conditions.
Samples of several Glass-Epoxy composites were manufactured using the traditional hand layup method where the stacking of the plies were alternate and the weight fraction of fiber and matrix was kept at 40-60%.Specimens were cut according to the ASTM D 2344-84(1989) standards. Some of the specimens were kept in the As-cured condition so as to obtain the base properties. Experimental studies have been carried out to study the effects of thermal ageing, liquid nitrogen temperature, thermal shocks, sea and distilled water. Also, tests have been performed to study the effect of ultraviolet rays and microwave conditions on the mechanical behavior of Glass-epoxy composites. The specimens were divided into groups. One group was subjected to cryogenic conditions at -750C for 3 hours and 6 hours. Another group was subjected to elevated temperature at +750C for 5 hours and 10 hours. A separate group samples were immersed in the two mediums separately namely sea water , distilled water at their boiling temperatures .Of the remaining samples a group of samples were kept in a microwave oven for 60 , 90 and 120 secs. whereas the other part of it was kept in a ultraviolet chamber for a period of 100 hrs. Thermal shocks of two types, up-cycle (lower to higher temperature immersion) and down-cycle (higher to lower temperature immersion) were applied The aged samples were subjected to 3-point short beam shear tests. The tests were performed at room temperature with 1 mm/min and 500 mm/min crosshead speeds. The weakening effects were sensitive to loading rate. The ILSS(shear strength) values were then compared with the base values of as cured specimen SEM analysis was done to ascertain the mode of failure.