A Study of Microbial Deterioration of Fiber Reinforced Composites and Protective Coatings.

Abstract

Polymeric materials, particularly fiber reinforced composites (FRPCs) are strategically important to the Air Force. We have shown that common fungi form biofilms on five types of FRPCs. Our data indicate that the fungi penetrate the material. They utilize the resins and sizing chemicals as energy and carbon sources. We used electrochemical impedence spectroscopy (ElS) to investigate degradation of the FRPCs. We demonstrated a progressive decline in impedence in 179 days as a result of fungal growth on the FRPCs. Our data indicate that the composite materials are susceptible to microbial attack in moist conditions at ambient temperatures. We also investigated the effects of chromium, used in surface coatings, on microbial activity. Initial tests showed that both hexavalent and trivalent chromium inhibits bacterial activity. However, the bacteria rapidly develop resistance to chromium.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA356063

Entities

People

  • Ralph Mitchell

Organizations

  • Harvard University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Bacteria
  • Biodegradation
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Chromium
  • Coatings
  • Composite Materials
  • Degradation
  • Electron Microscopes
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Fungi
  • Materials
  • Microorganisms
  • Protective Coatings
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Materials science

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Surface Coatings Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology