MECHANISM OF WATER ABSORPTION IN GLASS-REINFORCED PLASTICS
Abstract
It was observed that prolonged exposure of glass reinforced plastics to water is usually accompanied by a resulting deterioration in their mechanical properties. Activity was primarily directed toward obtaining diffusion measurements of several hydrophilic polymers. These measurements, on model systems, will later be compared with similar values obtained at high pressures in order to establish the role of hydrostatic variables in the diffusion of a liquid into a solid polymer. The weight-gain experiments indicate that diffusion phenomena in water epoxy resin systems are essentially unaffected by hydrostatic pressures up to 10,000 psi. Studies included electron- microscope and mechanical evaluations of glass-reinforced epoxy cylinders. Research with the electron micro scope indicated that high pressures may be the cause of flaws and other imperfections which allow the immersion medium to come into contact with the fibers below. As a result, the moisture may penetrate along the resin-glass bond and cause a decrease in flexural strength. Mechani cal tests are being utilized to confirm this latter effect. Mechanical tests on neat resin specimens show them to be much less sensitive to water absorption than the same resin rein forced with glass.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0407419
Entities
People
- Bailey Bennett
- D. W. Mcneil
- R. I. Leininger
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute