Moisture Absorption and Desorption Behavior of Composites in Cyclic Hygrothermal Environment

Abstract

The moisture absorption and desorption behavior of CCF300/BA9916 composites in cyclic hygrothermal environment was investigated. The experiment was performed for 70 °C/100 % RH, to find out moisture absorption as a function of time. The results show that the moisture absorption and desorption behavior of CCF300/BA9916 composites basically conforms the Fickian’s second law. After 36 days of moisture absorption, the composites reach the effective moisture equilibrium level, and the effective moisture equilibrium content is about 0.849 %. Hygrothermal environment destroys the interface of fiber and matrix; moisture absorption has reversible and irreversible destructive effect on CCF300/BA9916 composites. Reversible damage on fiber/matrix interface can be eliminated after desorption processing, while the irreversible damage still exists.