Effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of GFRPs. (20th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quino, Gustavo; Tagarielli, Vito L.; Petrinic, Nik
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 199(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-20
• Subjects: Composites -- GFRP -- Epoxy -- Hygrothermal aging -- Strain rate sensitivity -- Viscoelasticity. submitted to composites science and technology -- November 2019; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: This study reports on the effects of water absorption on the anisotropic mechanical response of an epoxy resin reinforced with E-glass fibres. Composite specimens were conditioned by immersion in pure water at 50 °C for different time durations, up to full saturation. Water-saturation resulted in reduction of stiffness and strength, in the range of strain rate 0.001–700s −1 . Experiments on re-dried specimens after water saturation showed a limited recoverability of the original mechanical properties. Water absorption increased the sensitivity of the mechanical response of the GFRPs to the applied strain rate. Finite element simulations of the response of a unit cell of the unidirectional composite were performed to understand the role of the hygroscopic stresses induced by water absorption, and it was found that this is negligible due to the active mechanisms of viscoelastic relaxation. Graphical abstract: Image 1