Two accelerated hot-wet aging tests of glass-reinforced epoxy resin were performed at 45 and 70°C at the same level of relative humidity (RH = 84%). Mechanical and physical properties of “dry” and differently saturated composites are compared. It has been found that the higher the conditioning temperature, the higher the equilibrium moisture content. The glass transition temperature decreases from 138°C (dry) to 108 to 111°C (for both moisture saturated cases). Moreover, it has been found that moisture absorption reduces the static properties while not modifying the endurance in fatigue tests.
The effects of three degrees of cure (low, standard and postcured) on two carbon reinforced epoxy resins are examined. The polymerization degree is tentatively assessed by thermal analysis techniques, namely by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The effects on both static mechanical and fracture toughness properties have been checked. It has been found that the glass transition temperature measured by DMA is the parameter, among those studied (both thermal and mechanical), that is more sensitive to the cure degrees.
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