Stability of Glass Fiber-Plastic Composites

Abstract

Exploratory research was conducted to determine the stages and nature of degradation of glass fiber-plastic composite systems under various environmental conditions. Glass fiber-epoxy structural composites have many characteristics that are desirable in Army materiel; however, they suffer appreciable losses in strength on storage in high humidity-high temperature conditions. A number of mechanical, physical and chemical tests were performed on the individual components in the system and on samples of composites made of these components. It was found that the glass filaments are a reactive component and lose their strength rapidly on direct exposure to water at elevated temperatures. Magnesium is a particularly active component. It was also found that the silane coupling agent that is incorporated in standard commercial glass finishes is a possible reactive component.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA011289

Entities

People

  • Andrew C. T. Hsu
  • Roy C. Wilcox
  • Wartan A. Jemian

Organizations

  • Auburn University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Composite Materials
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Glass Fibers
  • Heat Treatment
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Plastics
  • Reinforced Plastics
  • Surface Finishing

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.