Polyester composite water uptake and organic contaminant release affected by carbon nanofiber reinforcements

• DOI: 10.1002/app.43724
• Publication Date: 2016-04-30T12:24:32Z
• Authors: Maryam Salehi; Ajay Krishnamurthy; Aaron M. Forster; Kuang–Ting Hsiao; Andrew J. Whelton
• Keywords: 0205 materials engineering; 02 engineering and technology

ABSTRACT The incorporation of carbon nanofiber (CNF) into glass fiber (GF) composites is a potential route to extend polymer composite service‐life and enhance mechanical properties. Under nonstatic conditions, only limited information concerning water uptake contaminant release properties nanocomposite materials currently available. Polyester containing GF oxidized CNF were immersed in for 30 days under nominal pressure at 23 °C, below the polymer's glass‐transition temperature. Water was analyzed changed every three simulate chemistry regeneration similar exposures flowing systems. Composites with had greater sorption capacity leaching rates than CNF‐free composites. total mass organic released correlated amount sorbed by each ( r 2 = 0.91), although dispersion found vary greatly within greatest least polyester‐CNF polyester‐GF composites, respectively. While volatile aromatic resin solvents stabilizer compounds detected, their concentrations declined over day exposure period. We hypothesize that hydrophilic nature increased polyester Additional studies are warranted examine impact this phenomenon on long‐term durability © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. , 133 43724.