The Fracture of Thermosetting Resins After Exposure to Water.

Abstract

This report summarizes the conclusions from a study of the effect of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution on the hydrolytic stability and the mechanical properties of polyester resins immersed in water. Comparison of fractionated ones, with and without vacuum stripping, leads to the conclusion that water absorption is extremely dependent on the presence of traces of low molecular weight, water-coluble substances. The extent of change of compressive modulus, and certain other mechanical properties, reflected water absorption behaviour, but fracture toughness was not very dependent on water uptake, at least until the stage of irreversible damage was reached. Chain lengths below Mn = 1000 resulted in inferior initial fracture toughness and inferior hydrolytic behavior. Related studies of the viscoelastic characteristics of the unimmersed resins are outlined. A brittle-ductile transition was observed, and changes in fracture toughness were found, at 28 deg C.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA122063

Entities

People

  • David T. Ho
  • Geoffrey Pritchard
  • J. S. Ghotra
  • R. G. Rose
  • W. E. Douglas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Anhydrides
  • Cantilever Beams
  • Composite Materials
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fibers
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Molecular Weight
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Polyesters
  • Resins
  • Resistance
  • Stress Intensity Factors
  • Toughness
  • Transitions

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.