ULTRAVIOLET DEGRADATION OF POLYMER COMPOSITES

摘要

Ultraviolet induced degradation has been examined to determine the nature and extent of resulting degradation mechanisms. Typical defects observed on naturally exposed laminates, e.g. matrix loss and cracking of the matrix, did not dominantly manifest on laminates sheltered from incident ultraviolet radiation in the natural environment. Accelerated ultraviolet exposure did not produce the typical forms of damage noticed on naturally exposed unprotected laminates. On these laminates, visible damage appears manifest at the surface. Surface damage observed on naturally exposed polymer composites was found to be dependent on the synergistic effect of degradation factors of ultraviolet radiation and moisture.