Environmental durability of glass fiber epoxy composites filled with core-shell polymer particles

A manufacturing technique was successfully adopted for incorporating core-shell polymer (CSP) particles into glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. CSP particles were firstly added into inter-ply interfaces during the lamination process. Conventional as well as CSP particle filled GFRP laminates were then cured at 122 degrees C under high pressure while in a vacuum environment. Good adhesion between the particles and the epoxy matrix was achieved during the curing. GFRP laminates with or without particles were immersed in water at 80 degrees C for different durations. These conditioned laminates were later subjected to low-velocity impact tests. It was found that the GFRP laminates with CSP particles absorbed more moisture while had less structural defects formed during the conditioning. The CSP particles significantly improved the impact properties of the GFRP laminates. After hygrothermal aging, the beneficial effects brought about by these particles for effectively resisting impact loads diminished. The underlying mechanisms were identified, studied and explained. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.