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Degradation of mechanical properties of vinylester and carbon fiber/vinylester composites due to environmental exposure

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Date Issued:
2011
Summary:
An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of marine environmental exposure on the mechanical properties of vinylester resins (VE510A and VE8084) and carbon fiber/VE510A vinylester composites. The effect of carbon fiber sizing on the composite strengths was also examined. Neat resins were exposed to marine environments until moisture content reached a point of saturation after which they were tested in tension, compression and shear. Compared to the baseline dry specimens, specimens subjected to moisture showed overall increased ductility and a reduction in strength. Dry and moisture saturated composite specimens were tested in tension and compression in different orientations. Longitudinal specimens were tested in in-plane shear and interlaminar shear. Composites with F-sized carbon fibers displayed overall higher strength than those with G-sized fibers at both dry and moisture saturated conditions. An analysis of moisture absorption of the composites was performed which vii shows that the moisture up-take is dominated by the fiber/matrix region which absorbs up to 90% of the moisture. The composites experienced reduced strength after moisture absorption. The results revealed that the fiber sizing has stronger effect on the fiber/matrix interface dominated strengths than moisture up-take.
Title: Degradation of mechanical properties of vinylester and carbon fiber/vinylester composites due to environmental exposure.
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Name(s): Figliolini, Alexander M.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Issued: 2011
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Physical Form: electronic
Extent: xx, 126 p. : ill. (some col.)
Language(s): English
Summary: An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of marine environmental exposure on the mechanical properties of vinylester resins (VE510A and VE8084) and carbon fiber/VE510A vinylester composites. The effect of carbon fiber sizing on the composite strengths was also examined. Neat resins were exposed to marine environments until moisture content reached a point of saturation after which they were tested in tension, compression and shear. Compared to the baseline dry specimens, specimens subjected to moisture showed overall increased ductility and a reduction in strength. Dry and moisture saturated composite specimens were tested in tension and compression in different orientations. Longitudinal specimens were tested in in-plane shear and interlaminar shear. Composites with F-sized carbon fibers displayed overall higher strength than those with G-sized fibers at both dry and moisture saturated conditions. An analysis of moisture absorption of the composites was performed which vii shows that the moisture up-take is dominated by the fiber/matrix region which absorbs up to 90% of the moisture. The composites experienced reduced strength after moisture absorption. The results revealed that the fiber sizing has stronger effect on the fiber/matrix interface dominated strengths than moisture up-take.
Identifier: 773372024 (oclc), 3332182 (digitool), FADT3332182 (IID), fau:3766 (fedora)
Note(s): by Alexander M. Figlionini.
Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011.
Includes bibliography.
Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Subject(s): Composite materials -- Mechanical properties
Polymers -- Deterioration
FIbrous composites
Graphite fibers
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332182
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU