Experimental characterization of thermo-oxidation-induced shrinkage and damage in polymer–matrix composites

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2012-04, Vol.43 (4), p.577-586
• Main Authors: Vu, Dinh Quy, Gigliotti, Marco, Lafarie-Frenot, Marie Christine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); air; Applied sciences; B. Environmental degradation; Composites; D. Electron microscopy; D. Surface analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; oxygen; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; scanning electron microscopy; shrinkage; synthetic fibers; Technology of polymers; temperature; testing
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.12.018

This paper focuses on the experimental characterization of thermo-oxidation in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) exposed to “high” temperatures (up to 150°C) and “high” oxygen pressures (up to 5 bars), at the microscopic scale. Unidirectional IM7/977-2 composite specimens were aged at 150°C under atmospheric air and under oxygen pressure (1.7 bars and 5 bars): periodic tests were carried out to characterize degradation phenomena after different aging times. The thermo-oxidation-induced resin shrinkage and fiber/matrix debonding were measured on the CFRP sample surface by confocal interferometric microscopy (CIM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that thermo-oxidation-induced degradation strongly depends on aging time, distance between fibers and partial oxygen pressure.