Environmental durability of polymer matrix composites

Gyaneshwar P. Tandon, Kishore Pochiraju

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) used in aerospace high-temperature applications, such as turbine engines and engine-exhaust-washed structures, are known to have limited life due to environmental degradation. Evaluating the extended service life of composite structures subjected to mechanical loading, high temperature, moisture, and corrosive conditions is challenging due to the complex physical, chemical, and thermomechanical mechanisms involved.1 Age and environment degrade the in-service performance of the composite structures. The precise knowledge of how the properties degrade due to long-term exposure or consequently during service, and how the reliability of the design and the factor of safety decrease during use, enables safe service-life estimation, and/or triggers maintenance or repair. This life prediction capability requires understanding of the causes, effects, and progression of the environmental degradation in composites.2 In-service age (time), temperature cycles, moisture/oxygen/corrosive fluid/ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and spectrum loading translate to surface degradation, weight changes, material property loss and damage growth leading to degradation of the performance of the polymer resin, fibers, and hence the composite behavior. Exposure to moisture and high temperatures can lead to physical and chemical changes in the material which can, in turn, result in changes in the mechanical performance of the material. As the environment affects the matrix material and the fiber-matrix interphases both physically and chemically, matrix and interface damage will be the primary damage mode that is expected to be observed in a fielded part. Characterization of specimens derived from aged and fielded composite provide, at best, a single point of data. Therefore, validated....

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTesting, Nondestructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring
Pages131-158
Number of pages28
Volume7-8
ISBN (Electronic)9780081005347
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018

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