Weibull Probabilistic Model of Moisture Concentration Build Up in a Fiber Graphite/Epoxy Polymer Composite under Varying Hydrothermal Conditions

Abstract

Advanced mechanical and structural applications require accurate assessment and better knowledge of the damage state during elaboration and service. The development of life prediction methodologies for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) has increased with the use of composites in different industries. It is important to develop through thickness degradation analyses due to ageing in order to predict its effect on the lifetime of composite structures. This study aims to model the moisture absorption, the concentration of the absorbed fluid and the reduction of mechanical properties in the through the thickness direction of a GFRPs structure. The water absorption behavior of woven glass fiber reinforced cyanate ester composites used in the plenum of the air conditioning pack of aircraft environmental control system has been modeled. The combined models describe the diffusion procedure primarily at material level and continuously at structure level. The amount of the absorbed moisture can be crucial for the mechanical behavior of the structure. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the evolution of mechanical properties during ageing. The procedure utilizes the results of the diffusion model to calculate the moduli degradation during the water uptake process. Predictive models have been proposed by considering different sections throughout the thickness and provide a solid background for modeling the long term behavior of a structure exposed at different temperature and different time period. This work performed the numerical studies on the effect of moisture, temperature and presents some useful instructions for the evaluation of such composite structures.