Abstract
A programme of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests is presented, which was carried out on FRP laminate and PVC foam materials typical of those employed in the sandwich construction of marine craft. The results are compared for as-manufactured material and material that had been aged by fresh water immersion at 40 and 60 °C, in order to determine the evolution of storage modulus, loss modulus, tan δ and glass transition temperature with increasing length and severity of hygrothermal exposure. It was found that plasticisation induced a progressive reduction in room temperature modulus, but there was also evidence of an antiplasticisation process and postcure caused by the elevated temperature immersion, which was revealed upon drying during the DMTA temperature ramp.
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