Comparative hygrothermal ageing analysis of glass and carbon fiber polymer composites: Numerical and experimental study

Glass and carbon fibers polymer composites are widely used in aerospace, automobiles, marine related and other various general purpose applications. In this investigation a comparative experimental and numerical study on both glass and carbon fiber composites was carried out. Hygrothermal moisture diffusion tests were carried out using distilled and artificial seawater at different service temperatures. Artificial seawater was prepared by using various concentrations of salt in water. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis was carried out to analyze the topography of specimens after hygrothermal ageing. Commercial finite element software Abaqus was used to numerically simulate moisture diffusion into structures using mass diffusion capability. The ingression patter of moisture will be determined and it will help during design and development of efficient and cost effective composite materials.