Effects of Hygrothermal Condition on Water Diffusion and Flexural Properties of Carbon–Glass Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Winding Pipes

Abstract

Carbon–glass hybrid fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer (C-GFRP) winding pipes integrated with the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness offer immense potential to mitigate corrosion issues in oil, gas, and water transportation pipelines. In this study, C-GFRP winding pipes underwent accelerated aging tests through immersion in distilled water at temperatures of 25 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C for 146 days. Water absorption tests were conducted to investigate the water absorption behavior of only CFRP- or GFRP-side absorbed water. Bending tests were performed to assess the evolution of the pipes’ flexural properties in two directions (GFRP or CFRP in tension). The results showed that the single-sided water absorption behavior adhered to the two-stage diffusion model. The diffusion coefficient, activation energy, and 146-day water absorption were all higher for the CFRP-side absorbed water compared to the GFRP-side absorbed water. The flexural strength and modulus of C-GFRP pipes were influenced by post-curing and resin hydrolysis/debonding. Initially, the flexural strength of CFRP in tension was higher than that of CFRP in tension. After 146 days of aging, the flexural strength of CFRP in tension was lower than that of CFRP in tension. Utilizing Arrhenius theory, the long-term lives were predicted for the flexural strength at temperatures of 5.4 °C, 12.8 °C, and 17.8 °C. The predicted lives of GFRP in tension were higher than those of CFRP in tension.