Effects of thermal shocks and thermal spikes on hygrothermal behavior of glasspolyester composites

The aim of the present study is to investigate the degradation behavior of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites during hygrothermal ageing for different lengths of time after suffering thermal shocks and thermal spikes at 100, 150, and 200°C. The moisture gain kinetics and change of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), a primary mode of analysis of interfacial strength of the composite, were evaluated. Moisture absorption, found more in spiked samples, showed initial Fickian trend but eventually changed to non-linear pattern as the exposure time increased. It has been found that the composite specimens having a history of thermal spike showed more degradation. The damage was found even more at higher temperature and at lower loading rates. © 2007 SAGE Publications.