Micromechanics modeling and homogenization of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites subject to synergistic deterioration

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 203; p. 108629
• Main Authors: Li, Zhiye, Furmanski, Jevan, Lepech, Michael D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Barking Elsevier Ltd 08.02.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aerospace industry; Aerospace materials; Biodegradation; Composite materials; Condensation; Condensation degradation; Deterioration; Environmental aging; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; GRP composites; High temperature; Homogenization; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Micromechanical modeling; Micromechanics; Multi-physics; Polymer matrix composites; Synergistic deterioration; Three dimensional models; Ultraviolet degradation; Ultraviolet radiation; Multi-physics; Synergistic deterioration; GRP composites; Environmental aging; Condensation degradation; Homogenization; Ultraviolet degradation; Condensation; Micromechanical modeling
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108629

Composites have been successfully adopted in manufacturing and aerospace applications and are rapidly expanding into civil infrastructure. This paper develops an experimentally-validated 3D multi-physics finite element model for predicting the synergistic effects of combined physical/chemical degradation processes of UV radiation and water condensation at elevated temperatures in representative volume elements of glass fiber reinforced polymeric matrix composites subjected to environmental exposure and mechanical loading. Validation studies are conducted by comparing the results of multi-physics FEM simulations with accelerated exposure experiments. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to investigate the effect of mesh density on the accuracy of results. The effects of woven structure, diffusive parameters, and matter loss flux on the evolution of deterioration are analyzed on both a local and global scale. [Display omitted]