Effect of Combined Environmental Factors on Degradation Behavior of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites

Thermal analysis properties and chemical structure of carbon fiber/epoxy composites under environmental exposure were examined using an accelerated aging tester which can simulate real weather conditions such as temperature, moisture and ultraviolet. The composite specimens were exposed to combined environmental factors up to 3000 hours. Thermal analysis properties and chemical structure of the composites were evaluated with various exposure times through Modulated DSC and FTIR. According to the results of Modulated DSC, the glass transition temperature increased as exposure time increased due to the formation of network structures in the composites. Also endotherm peaks of enthalpy relaxation related to physical aging that can affect the properties of the composites were observed as exposure time increased. From the results of FTIR, it was found that the location of the peaks was little affected by exposure time, but the intensity of the peaks slightly decreased as exposure time increased due to the curing reaction in the epoxy group.