Environmental effects on glass fiber reinforced PPS stampable composites

Abstract

The application of polymer composites in engineering structures is contingent upon their property retention and dimensional stability after extended temperature-humidity exposure in service. Mechanical properties of composites decrease with increasing temperature-humidity and the percentage of property retention generally depends on the exposure time. In this paper, the properties of a long and a short glass fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide were evaluated after exposure to elevated temperatures, both in air and in water, for extended time periods. Properties measured included tensile, compressive, flexural, impact, and fatigue. The polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites exhibited good dimensional stability, as well as property retention, after exposure to the severe temperature-humidity conditions. Effect of temperature alone was negligible; however, some property reduction was measured in the presence of water at elevated temperatures. These property reductions were observed to level off over time at respectable values. The fatigue performance of PPS composite was unaffected by exposures to the high temperature-humidity.