Hygrothermal environment effects on mechanical properties of T700/3228 CFRP laminates

Abstract Exposure to a hygrothermal environment would cause severe degradation of the mechanism properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. The moisture absorption characteristics of T700/3228 CFRP laminates was studied through moisture absorption tests. The effects on the tensile and compression properties of [0] 16 and [90] 16 specimens under various hygrothermal conditions were comparative analyzed, and the degradation mechanisms of tensile and compression properties were further researched by microstructure characterization. The results show that under dry conditions, matrix strength increases with rising of temperature because of post-curing of epoxy at high temperatures. At 85 % RH (relative humidity), the strength of CFRP laminates decrease entirely with rising temperature because of the thermal and moisture stress generated at the interface. At a water temperature of 70 °C, the proprieties of CFRP laminates decrease severely.