Moisture sorption–desorption–resorption characteristics and its effect on the mechanical behavior of the epoxy system

Thermosetting epoxy resins are attractive materials for many engineering applications, as they are low in density, with excellent mechanical properties and easily fabricated by processes such as injection molding, extrusion and vacuum forming. However, the hostile hygrothermal environment can degrade the epoxy system. In this study, moisture sorption–desorption–resorption characteristics of the DGEBA/DDA epoxy system have been investigated by the hygrothermal aging and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. Also, the effects of moisture on the mechanical behavior of the epoxy system have been studied by the uniaxial tensile test and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for the unaged, moisture saturated, completely desorbed and moisture re-saturated specimens, respectively. Results show that the moisture diffusion in epoxy system is not only dependent on the hygrothermal conditions, but also on the specimen thickness and hygrothermal history. Due to the effect of the hygrothermal aging, both the tensile elastic module and tensile strength of the studied epoxy system have been reduced, that is, the absorbed moisture has deleterious effects on the physical properties of epoxies and can, therefore, greatly compromise the performance of an epoxy-based component.