The Effects of Severe Temperature Changes and High Humidity on Porous CFRP
- Purpose:
A route to manufacture porous carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for study purposes is described.
Design/methodology/approach:
The porous CFRP is characterized using standard techniques such as matrix digestion as well as the more sophisticated method of high resolution Microfocus X-Ray Tomography (μCT). A comparison of the results of those methods is presented. The mass gains of specimens with a wide range of porosity have been measured both in constant humidity and in alternating environments.
Findings:
It could be shown that severe temperature changes can temporarily increase the moisture content of porous CFRP. However, after the return to a constant environment, the moisture content returns back to saturation levels. Furthermore, it could be shown by X-Ray Tomography that even under severe climatic conditions no permanent liquid water condensates inside the pores.
Research limitations/implications:
Using Microfocus Computed Tomography it could be shown that even after nearly a year under hot-wet conditions and more than 150 severe temperature cycles there is no liquid water detectable inside the pores.
Originality/value:
In this paper the effects of severe temperature changes and high humidity on porous CFRP.