Environmental Weathering of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

One major hindrance to the acceptance of polymer composites in engineering applications is the susceptibility of the polymer matrix to environmental weathering activities due to prolonged exposure. The polymer matrix is prone to degradation initiated by Ultraviolet radiation, moisture or water absorption, temperature and high pH environments. The paper highlights the characteristic chemical and physical changes in polymeric matrix resins following prolonged exposure to these environments. The main objective is to identify factors that contribute to matrix resin degradation under environmental and mechanical stresses. Resin systems considered in this study include vinylester, unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin. These are the polymer matrices employed in most industrial and construction applications. Neat polymer resins were exposed to moisture/water and high temperature environments and the susceptibility or responses to the changes were evaluated through gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning election microscopes (SEM) were also used to detect changes in the morphology of polymer composites surface following exposure to ultraviolet) UV) radiation.