The Effects of Moisture on the Properties of High Performance Structural Resins and Composites

Abstract

Graphite -and boron-fiber-reinforced composites, as well as castings of current resin systems, are evaluated to determine the effects of moisture and/or high humidity on their physical properties and their room and elevated temperature mechanical properties. All of the neat resin castings are found to absorb moisture and swell. Associated with moisture absorption is a loss in elevated temperature tensile strength. All of the composite systems show weight gains and thickness increases when subjected to a high humidity environment. However, the effect of absorbed moisture on the elevated temperature mechanical properties of composites is determined principally by the lay-up of the laminate and/or the test being applied. For both castings and composites the effects of moisture are found to be reversible.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0917821

Entities

People

  • Charles E. Browning

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Composite Materials
  • Environment
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Flexural Strength
  • Graphitic Materials
  • High Humidity
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Physical Properties
  • Stresses
  • Tensile Properties
  • Tensile Strength

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials