Moisture absorption effects on the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites
International Journal of Structural Integrity
ISSN: 1757-9864
Article publication date: 30 March 2020
Issue publication date: 24 July 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the influence of moisture absorption on the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites.
Design/methodology/approach
Three types of specimens are prepared, which are for longitudinal, transverse and shear tests. Specimens are immersed in distilled water at 70°C for 1, 3 and 9 months. These correspond to the moisture content of 2.2, 3.8 and 5.3%.
Findings
Compared to the values at dry condition, the longitudinal modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio are invariant with the moisture content. However, the transverse modulus, transverse strength and shear strength are sensitive to moisture attack. The maximum degradation is 33%, 76 and 33% for the three properties, respectively. It is also worth to note that the longitudinal tensile strength is stable at 1 and 9 months of immersion. However, at 3-months ageing period, there is only 67% of the longitudinal tensile strength retained.
Originality/value
The experimental results are fitted with a residual property model. Results show comparatively good fit, with a difference within 16% except the longitudinal tensile strength at 9-months immersion. This highlights that the model is not suitable to fit the experimental data with a fluctuated trend.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia through UTMShine Grant No. 09G16 and Collaborative Research Grant No. 08G01.
Citation
Mad Asasaari, S.F., Wong, K.J., Tamin, M.N. and Johar, M. (2020), "Moisture absorption effects on the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 605-614. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-12-2019-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited