Prediction of hygrothermal behavior of polyester/glass fiber composite in dissymmetric absorption

Abstract

This article studies the hygrothermal behavior of E-glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites containing filler additives. Three different cases of a material exposed to water are investigated at two various temperatures: 45℃ and 65℃. First, both lateral sides are exposed to water at the same temperature (symmetric absorption). Second, one side is exposed to water at a certain temperature and the other side is exposed to ambient air (dissymmetric absorption I). Third, both lateral sides are exposed to water at varied temperatures (dissymmetric absorption II). The kinetics of water absorption follows the Fick’s second law. The water concentration is higher on the surface of the material and it decreases continuously toward the core of the model. The increase in the temperature and the higher level of additives raise the absorbed moisture and the diffusion coefficient. The software “Abaqus” is used to simulate the water diffusion through the material. The comparison between the experimental and numerical results shows that the model can predict the hygrothermal behavior of the polyester/glass fiber in symmetric and dissymmetric absorption.

Effect of Time-Real Marine Environment Exposure on the Mechanical Behavior of FRP Composites

“…Previous research on this matter is based on immersing test samples, called coupons, in laboratory conditions using accelerated procedures [13] to simulate 20+ years of expected lifespan of typical marine structures [14,15]. The ageing of composites is usually carried out in climatic chambers in laboratory conditions [6,16,17] to reduce the time of the test [18][19][20][21].…”

Dynamic humidity diffusion through the polyester/glass fibre composite

“…In addition, Hamidi et al [13] affirmed that the acceleration of the diffusion process, manifested by the increment in the diffusion coefficient and the amount of absorbed humidity, is in the interest of the extension in the pressure. Also, the humidity diffusion is influenced by the temperature: Ben Daly et al [14] and Ounaies et al [15] demonstrated that the raise in the temperature generates an acceleration of the diffusion process, as a result the amount of absorbed humidity and the diffusion coefficient through the polyester glass fibre composite increase. In fact, the rise in the temperature offers more agitation to the diffusing molecules [16], which facilitates the humidity diffusion.…”

Pressure Effect on Humidity Diffusion through Polyester/Glass Fiber Composite in Sea Water

“…The humidity diffusion is influenced by different parameters like the temperature; [6,7] proved that the augmentation of the temperature induces an increase of the diffusion coefficient and the amount of absorbed humidity, as it provides more agitation to the diffusing molecules [8]. Likewise, the pressure effect in the hygrothermal behavior of a composite material is investigated: [9] demonstrated that the rise of the hydrostatic pressure accelerates the diffusion phenomena, as a result the diffusion parameters increases.…”