Water absorption and low‐energy impact and their role in the failure of ±45° carbon fibre composites

• DOI: 10.1002/pc.24269
• Publication Date: 2016-12-31T04:08:54Z
• Authors: Feras Korkees; Cris Arnold; Sue Alston
• Keywords: Carbon fibers

Defects in polymer composites associated with in‐service damage induced by impact and those produced environmental degradation due moisture absorption can have a significant influence on the mechanical properties failure modes of structures. This study evaluates flexural characteristics ±45° carbon/epoxy laminates under different conditions. The strength stiffness these were inspected before after subjecting to water absorption, drying, re‐drying low energy impact. It was observed that both absorbed caused deformations fractures which drastically reduced load carrying ability laminates. Re‐drying slightly improved reversed effects water. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2771–2782, 2018. © 2016 Society Plastics Engineers