Sea Water Ageing of GFRP Composites and the Dissolved Salts

Abstract

This paper houses the effect of sea water immersion on glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. The major sources of interest are study of sea water absorption, penetration of the dissolved salts, details of chemical and physical bonds at the interface, variations of mechanical properties and study of failure mechanisms as revealed through SEM fractographs. Eighteen ply GFRP composites are immersed in sea water for a period of one year in steps of two months durations. It is revealed that the moisture absorption transforms from a Fickian to non-Fickian behavior with lapse of time. The dissolved salt ‘K’ shows highest depth of penetration after one year of immersion while ‘Na’ shows a least depth of penetration, as revealed from the EDS spectra. It is also revealed that ‘Ca’ seems to have a sudden burst in the rate of penetration even surpassing that of ‘K’. This trend can be attributed to the combined effect of ionic mobility of the various dissolved salts and the probable interaction between ‘K’ and the –OH group of epoxy resin. This interaction between dissolved ‘K’ and the –OH group in the polymer could have arrested the further advancement of ‘K’ salts in the polymer, resulting in comparatively high rates of ‘Ca’ penetration. The mechanical properties such as inter laminar shear stress (ILSS), stress and strain at rupture, glass transition temperature (Tg) and elastic modulus show a decreasing trend with the increased duration of immersion. As revealed from the SEM fractographs potholing, fiber pull-out, matrix crack etc. are seen to be the major reason for failure of the immersed samples under load.