Abstract
The effects of hygrothermal ageing on the fatigue properties of a unidirectional glass/epoxy composite have been investigated. Damage nucleation was monitored in terms of fibre breakage by in-situ microscopic observation of the tensile face of the specimens during flexural tests. From the mapping of individual fibre breaks during monotonic and fatigue loading, the overall losses of properties were linked to the drop in the glass fibres’ load-bearing properties. The endurance properties of the composite declined after water ageing. A drop in the in-situ statistical distribution of fibre strengths could account for such an observation. Furthermore, this fibre weakening was associated with an increase in the pH of the ageing media. During water sorption, the water gradually becomes alkaline due to leaching and the hydrolysis of the matrix's unreacted hardener.
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