Effect of simulated hygrothermal environment on the flexural and interlaminar shear strength of particulate-filled epoxy-coated GFRP composites

Abstract

The application of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites in civil engineering and construction has gained significant interest in the last decade. Such applications require information on the long-term performance and durability of fiber composite materials because these materials are directly exposed to aggressive environments. This comparative study evaluated the effect of a simulated hygrothermal environment on the durability of GFRP composite laminates with and without a particulate-filled epoxy coating. The three-point bending test was conducted to characterize the degradation of interlaminar shear strength and flexural properties of GFRP composites before and after conditioning at combined high moisture and temperature for 0, 1000, 2000, or 3000 h. Dynamic mechanical analysis was also conducted to characterize the changes in the thermomechanical properties of the composite laminates. The results show that hygrothermal conditioning had a negative impact on the flexural and interlaminar shear strength of uncoated GFRP laminates, but this could be efficiently minimized with the use of a particulate-filled polymer-epoxy coating.