Hygrothermal effects on the mechanical response of Kevlar 49/epoxy laminates

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6516387

Allred, R E

Prior to use in weapon systems, it is necessary to understand the durability of materials in a long term storage environment. This study examines the effects of moisture and temperature on the flexural response of Kevlar reinforced epoxy laminates. Temperature or moisture alone do not severely affect the mechanical properties of Kevlar/epoxy; however, strength losses up to 60 percent and modulus losses of 45 percent are seen with saturation moisture contents (5 weight percent) tested at 150/sup 0/C. Results indicate that filament hygrothermal degradation is the dominant mechanism until moisture solvation depresses the matrix Tg below the test temperature. This is in direct contrast to the majority of high performance resin-matrix composites which exhibit little filament degradation. It is recommended that Kevlar/epoxy components be coated with moisture barriers and that research be conducted on prospective coatings.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6516387
• Report Number(s): SAND-78-1362C; CONF-781067-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360403* -- Materials-- Polymers & Plastics-- Mechanical Properties-- (-1987)
ARAMIDS
EPOXIDES
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MOISTURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL DEGRADATION