Effect of Moisture Absorption on the Bending Fatigue Performance of Carbon/Epoxy Laminates

This study investigates the effect of moisture content on the bending fatigue properties of T300/914 composite laminates immersed in water for 7 days and 14 days. Displacement-controlled three-point bending fatigue tests were conducted on specimens. After 40,000 cycles the fatigue test was stopped and the properties were measured on the tested specimens. Reduction in material strength was found to depend on the level of moisture content. Experimental results reveal that the moisture content in the laminates increased with immersion time and that moisture absorption accelerated damage propagation in the composite. Hygrothermal ageing lowered the threshold level for the onset of fatigue. The experimental results were further validated by the supportive micrographs that illustrate different moisture content and their morphology before and after moisture absorption.