Materials Research in the Sea. An Investigation into the Influence of Environmental Exposure on Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites

摘要

Glass fiber reinforced polyester and epoxy resin filament wound cylinders with an internal radius of 100 mm, a wall thickness of 2 mm and a length of 600 mm were exposed to sea air, wet-dry conditions at the tide line, or immersed in the sea at 50 and 100 m, from 2 to 4 years. The winding patterns applied were circumferential for epoxy as well as polyester specimens and + or - 70 deg relative to the cylinder axis, as an optimized angle for epoxy specimens with respect to internal hydrostatic pressure. Shear stiffness and shear strength were determined with a torsion test. The 70 deg wound cylinders were loaded with an increasing internal hydrostatic pressure until failure occured. Fiber content and wall thickness were measured. Glass fiber reinforced epoxy shows no relevant degradation after exposure. Polyester resin specimens exposed to sea water are severely eroded. Test data are given in tables.