Influence of moisture absorption on the flexural properties of composites made of epoxy resin reinforced with low-content iron particles

摘要

In this work, the effect of moisture absorption on the mechanical properties of particulate composite materials isstudied. Moisture absorption constitutes a main parameter affecting the thermomechanical behaviour of composites, since itcauses plasticization of the polymer matrix with a concurrent swelling. In the present work, the influence of water absorptionon the flexural properties of particle-reinforced composites was thoroughly investigated. It was found that during the processof moisture absorption there exists a variation of the flexural properties closely related to the degradation of the mechanicalbehaviour of the composite, as well as the percentage amount of moisture absorbed. Experiments were carried out withcomposite made of epoxy resin reinforced with low-content iron particles. The variation of ultimate stress, breaking strain,deflection, elastic modulus and Poisson ratio due to water absorption was examined.