Durability of Composite Materials under Severe Temperature Conditions: Influence of Moisture Content and Prediction of Thermo-Mechanical Properties During a Fire

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to develop a fire thermal model able to predict the evolution of the temperature and decomposition gradient across a laminated composite structure when exposed to fire. The thermal response of composite laminate made of organic polymer matrix was investigated under severe temperature conditions as samples were exposed to high temperatures up to 750 °C. The highlight is that a behavior law for water is included in our thermo-mechanical model to estimate effects due to a moisture content field on the thermal response of composite laminates. In particular, porosity and gas pressure are strongly influenced by the presence of water in the material and modify the thermal behavior accordingly. This enabled us to propose a new approach that can be used for the prediction of hygro-thermo-chemico-mechanical post-combustion properties in a very large number of material and fire scenarios.