A Novel Thermoplastic Composite for Marine Applications: Comparison of the Effects of Aging on Mechanical Properties and Diffusion Mechanisms

This article investigates and compares the effects of hydrothermal aging on carbon fibre / Elium™ thermoplastic composite vinylester thermoset for marine application. Accelerated tests are performed by immersion in deionised water at 70 °C. Water diffusion, monitored regular weighing, shows that both composites as well resin exhibit non-Fickian behaviour. Analytical models proposed to fit experimental curves identify compare diffusion parameters. The microstructure evaluated using SEM, while irreversibility degradation mechanisms is investigated desiccation tests. Mechanical tensile tests, before after aging, show slight impact modulus strengths materials. Furthermore, it was found shear interlaminar strength undergo significant alteration related irreversible physicochemical matrix. Studied materials have shown different behaviours, but similar mechanical properties evolutions.