Environmental Effects on Glass Fiber Reinforced PPS Stampable Composites*

Abstract

The application of polymer composites in engineering structures are contingent upon their property retention and dimensional stability after extended temperature/humidity exposure in service. Mechanical properties of composites decrease with increasing temperature/humidity and the percent of property reduction generally depends on the ex posure time. In this paper, the properties of compression molded polyphenylene sulfide, stampable composites, a long glass fiber reinforced product and a short glass fiber rein forced version, were evaluated after exposure to elevated temperatures, both in air and in water, for extended time periods. Properties measured included tensile, compressive, flexural, impact and fatigue. The PPS composites exhibited good dimensional stability, as well as property retention, after exposure to the severe temperature/humidity conditions. Effect of temperature alone was negligible, however, some property reduction was measured in the presence of water at elevated temperatures. These property reductions were observed to level off over time at respectable values. The fatigue performance of PPS composite was unaffected by expo sures to the high temperature/humidity conditions.