Long-Term Deterioration of GFRP in Water and Moist Environment
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 6, Issue 1
Abstract
This report examines the effects of water and moisture on the durability of pultruded glass-fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) with vinylester resin for applications in normal air conditions. Deterioration tests, including both immersion and atmosphere conditions at various temperatures, were conducted to investigate the deterioration characteristics of pultruded GFRP after being permeated by water. The main findings from the tests were that cracks appeared on the surface of the GFRP and that the weight of the materials decreased, which may be attributed in the surface treatment oil for the glass-fiber cloth being dissolved away. The bending strength of the GFRP was also found to be reduced. The rate of weight decrease and the reductions in bending strength were greater in a 60°C water-immersion condition compared to both a 60°C moist-atmosphere condition and a 40°C water-immersion condition. This difference is due to the fact that the glass fiber and matrix resin separated in water at 60°C. Although the matrix resin changed color in air at 60°C, becoming noticeably brown, no chemical changes were found by infrared spectra.
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Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 10, 2000
Accepted: Feb 27, 2001
Published online: Feb 1, 2002
Published in print: Feb 2002
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