Moisture Absorption in Graphite/Organic-Matrix Composites

摘要

Moisture absorption of graphite-epoxy composites in humid air was investigated and the results compared with similar data taken on a graphite-thermoplastic resin composite. The composite materials were: P75/3501-6, IM6/5217c, and AS4/PEEK. In addition, the P75/3501-6 was tested in both the ''as-cured'' and ''thermal cycled'' condition. The measured diffusivity values for the P75/3501-6 were in good agreement with earlier investigators. The thermoplastic resin, PEEK, absorbed moisture at a very low rate compared to the thermosetting resins which was expected. The P75/3501-6 composite exhibited the same diffusivity value for both the ''as-cured'' and ''thermally conditioned'' conditions. (ERA citation 12:011732)