Effects of concentrated HCl on the mechanical properties of storage aged fiber glass polyester composite

In this study the 15-years storage aged E-glass-fiber-reinforced polyester specimens were used. Effects of storage aging and acid immersion on tensile and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break at various times and temperatures were investigated. The storage aging caused 48, 10, 16 and 10.5% reduction in tensile and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break of the samples respectively. The storage aged samples immersed in HCl acid showed even more decrease in the mechanical properties. SEM micrographs of the samples (after and before immersion) showed failure mode at the interphase and the strength reduction due to degradation of fiber/matrix interfacial bond.