Investigation of long-term influence of tropical environment factors on mechanical properties of polymer composite materials

The degradation of polymer composite materials manufactured by out-of-autoclave processing was investigated under tropical climatic conditions in three regions of Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang). Specimens were exposed for three years in each region, followed by mechanical testing (tensile and compressive) and microscopic analysis. Control specimens were tested prior to exposure. Statistical analysis and principal component analysis were employed to process the obtained data. The results revealed significant deterioration of the mechanical properties: tensile strength decreased by up to 16.1%, compressive strength declined by 20.4%, while the tensile modulus increased by 11.7%. Solar radiation components were identified as the primary degradation factors, with moisture acting as a secondary contributor. Specifically, UVA radiation reduced tensile strength, whereas UVB affected the elastic modulus. Microscopy revealed matrix discoloration, microcracking, and fiber depigmentation—particularly pronounced in coastal areas and regions with high UVA levels. A comparative analysis with previous studies confirmed the synergistic effect of UVA and humidity in accelerating hygrothermal degradation, yet uncovered unique trends in elastic modulus variation attributed to the curing kinetics of the specific material system. These findings highlight the vulnerability of out-of-autoclave polymer composites to tropical climates and underscore the need for UV-resistant coatings or matrix modifications to enhance durability.
EDN: LWPMYZ, https://elibrary/lwpmyz

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