The Influence of Thermal Fatigue on the Properties of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composites

Abstract

In this paper, glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites were prepared according to laminated plates design principles by using glass fiber/epoxy composite prepreg. The mechanical property of glass fiber/epoxy composite and water absorption have been investigated before and after thermal cycles. Thermal cycles were performed in the temperature range between −40°—80°. Through different thermal cycles (0, 60, 120, 180 cycles), it was found that the mechanical property of different ply of glass fiber/epoxy matrix composites was decreased and water absorption of composites were increased. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the fracture morphologies of glass fiber/epoxy composites before and after thermal cycles. SEM images showed that after 180 thermal cycles, the bonding effect of glass fiber and epoxy matrix interfacial layer became worse and pores increased, leading to the decrease in the mechanical properties and the increase in the water absorption.