Effect of environmental conditioning on the properties of thermosetting- and thermoplastic-matrix composite materials by resin infusion for marine applications. (15th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nash, N.H.; Portela, A.; Bachour-Sirerol, C.I.; Manolakis, I.; Comer, A.J.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 177(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11-15
• Subjects: Glass-fibre reinforced polymer -- Thermosetting resin -- Thermoplastic infusible resin -- Marine composites -- Environmental conditioning; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: Glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates were manufactured using Vacuum assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VaRTM) with a range of thermosetting resins and an infusible thermoplastic resin as part of a comprehensive down-selection to identify suitable commercially available resin systems for the manufacture of marine vessels greater than 50 m in length. The effect of immersion in deionised water and in an organic liquid (diesel) on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and glass transition temperature (Tg ) was determined. The thermoplastic had the highest Tg of all materials tested and comparable ILSS properties to the epoxy. Immersion in water, however, caused larger reductions in ILSS properties of the thermoplastic compared to the other systems. SEM showed a transition from matrix-dominated failure in the dry condition to failure at the fibre-matrix interface in the wet and organic-wet specimens. The overall performance of the infusible thermoplastic is good when compared to well-established marine resin systems; however, the environmental performance could be improved if the thermoplastic resin is used in conjunction with a fibre sizing that is tailored for use with acrylic-based resin systems.