The Influence of UV Radiation upon the Properties of Fibre Reinforced Polymers

Abstract:

Elements of aircraft that are in direct interaction with the environment are exposed to the destructive effects of weather phenomena and the factors influencing them, as well as local environmental phenomena. One such factor is ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. This article presents the results of the influence of solar radiation (UV) on the strength properties of laminates with different types of reinforcement. The composites are susceptible to impact damage; therefore, to investigate the effect of UV radiation on such damaged composite, part of the samples were subjected to impact loads. The composites were made of the epoxy resin Epidian 52 with hardener Z1, and reinforced with glass fabric and carbon fabric. In order to carry out the research, we designed two devices – one for the production of low-energy impact and a second device to expose composite on UV radiation. As a result of studies, it was found that the UV radiation has a negative impact on the aesthetic qualities of the composite as well as the flexural strength of the materials. The decrease in strength of the samples subjected to shock loads and the influence of UV radiation is at a level slightly above 50%.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 223)
• Pages: 27-34
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.223.27
• Online since: November 2014
• Authors: Andrzej Komorek*, Paweł Przybyłek, Dawid Brzozowski
• Keywords: Bending Strength, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), Impact Load, UV Radiation

References

[1] Zbrowski A., Bezpieczeństwo samolotów w aspekcie zagrożenia kolizją z ptakami. Problemy Eksploatacji, 2/2012, 215-228.

[2] Kotnarowska D., Badanie erozji starzonych powłok epoksydowych. Polimery i kompozyty konstrukcyjne 2010- monografia, 165-173.

[3] Kotnarowska D., Badania stanu warstwy powierzchniowej powłok epoksydowych starzonych mediami agresywnymi. Logistyka – Nauka 6/2011, 1775-1785.

[4] Rojek M., Metodologia badań diagnostycznych warstwowych materiałów kompozytowych o osnowie polimerowej, Open Access Library, Volume 2, (2011).

[5] Kumar B.G., Singh R.P., Nakamura T., Degradation of Carbon Fiber-reinforced Epoxy Composites by Ultraviolet Radiation and Condensation, Journal of Composite Materials Vol. 36, No. 24/2002, 2713-2733.

DOI: 10.1177/002199802761675511

[6] Chin J., Nguyen T., Aouadi K., Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fiber-reinforced Plastic Materials used in Construction, Journal of Composites Technology and Research, Vol. 19, No. 4/1997, pp.205-213.

DOI: 10.1520/ctr10120j

[7] Phelps, H. R., Long, E. R. Jr, Property Changes of a Graphite/Epoxy Composite Exposed to Nonionizing Space Parameters. Journal of Composite Materials 14 (4) 1980, 334-341.

DOI: 10.1177/002199838001400406

[8] Hancox N.L., Minty, D.C.C., Journal of British Interplanetary Society, Vol 30, 391 ‐399 (1977).

[9] Liau W. B., Tseng F. P., The effect of long-term ultraviolet light irradiation on polymer matrix composites, Polymer Composites 01/1998, 19 (4), 440–445.

DOI: 10.1002/pc.10118

[10] Shin, K.B., Kim, C.G., Hong. C.S., Lee, H.H., Prediction of failure thermal cycles in graphite/epoxy composite materials under simulated low earth orbit environments Composites, Part B Engineering, 31 (3) 2000, 223–235.

DOI: 10.1016/s1359-8368(99)00073-6

[11] Przybyłek P., Komorek A., Examination of the influence of cross-impact load on bend strength properties of composite materials, used in aviation, Eksploatacja i Niezawodność – Maintenance and Reliability Vol. 14, No. 4/2012, 265–269.

[12] Bełzowski A., Rechul Z., Stasieńko J., Uszkodzenia udarowe w laminacie wzmocnionym tkaniną szklaną, Kompozyty 2(2002)5, 394-399.

[13] Ochelski S., Metody doświadczalne mechaniki kompozytów konstrukcyjnych. Wydawnictwo Naukowo-Techniczne. Warszawa (2004).