Durability of carbon- and glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites: A literature review

Carbon and glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP/GFRTP) composites gained widespread application in industrial circles. To provide a clearer view concerning the physical and mechanical aging of CFRTP/GFRTP composites under different exposures, the present study summarized the long-term performance of four widely used thermoplastic polymers (polyamide, poly (phenylene sulfide), polypropylene, and polybutylene terephthalate) based CFRTP/GFRTP composites exposed to external effects including water/moisture, ultraviolet radiation, saline and alkaline solutions, temperatures, and special aging environment (weathering, salt fog, diesel, freeze-thaw cycles et al.). The water absorption behavior, strength retention, strength degradation mechanisms, and long-term life prediction models for CFRTP/GFRTP composites exposed to the mentioned environments were summarized in the present study. Results show that the polyamide-based composites have much more higher water uptake than other composites and their mechanical properties are highly moisture sensitive. Changes of the crystallization degrees of these four polymers-based composites also play an important role in the degradation of these composites. The coupling effect of loads and exposures on the long-term performance of these four polymers-based composites should be paid more attention since there are rather limited studies regarding this topic.