Modelling of Environmental Ageing of Polymers and Polymer Composites-Durability Prediction Methods.

Olesja Starkova,Christian W Karl,Abedin I Gagani,Juris Burlakovs,Andrey E Krauklis,Iuri B C M Rocha

doi:10.3390/polym14050907

Abstract

Polymers and polymer composites are negatively impacted by environmental ageing, reducing their service lifetimes. The uncertainty of the material interaction with the environment compromises their superior strength and stiffness. Validation of new composite materials and structures often involves lengthy and expensive testing programs. Therefore, modelling is an affordable alternative that can partly replace extensive testing and thus reduce validation costs. Durability prediction models are often subject to conflicting requirements of versatility and minimum experimental efforts required for their validation. Based on physical observations of composite macroproperties, engineering and phenomenological models provide manageable representations of complex mechanistic models. This review offers a systematised overview of the state-of-the-art models and accelerated testing methodologies for predicting the long-term mechanical performance of polymers and polymer composites. Accelerated testing methods for predicting static, creep, and fatig ue lifetime of various polymers and polymer composites under environmental factors’ single or coupled influence are overviewed. Service lifetimes are predicted by means of degradation rate models, superposition principles, and parametrisation techniques. This review is a continuation of the authors’ work on modelling environmental ageing of polymer composites: the first part of the review covered multiscale and modular modelling methods of environmental degradation. The present work is focused on modelling engineering mechanical properties.

Highlights

Composite materials have been used more widely in engineering and product applications in the last decades, and this trend continues
This review provides a systematised overview of the state-of-the-art modelling tools for predicting the long-term mechanical performance of polymers and polymer composites under environmental impact
The present review focused on prediction of durability of polymer composites by engineering models, i.e., modelling of their macroproperties

Summary

Introduction

Composite materials have been used more widely in engineering and product applications in the last decades, and this trend continues. The use of composite materials is expected to grow even more, mainly driven by two trends: (1) the requirements for reduced CO2 emissions, which can be partially achieved by reducing the mass of vehicles; and (2) new manufacturing methods, which can increase the production rate and reduce the unit cost for components, such as forming. Among the major benefits these materials offer are the high stiffness to weight ratio, which makes a strong case for the transportation industry, and the good durability, which has supported the use of composites in aggressive environments. Polymers and composite materials are often exposed to environmental influences such as water, humidity, elevated temperatures, pH, mechanical stress, and their combinations. Several reviews have been recently presented on the physical and chemical phenomena [2,5,6], including one from the authors [7]

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Conclusion