ENVIRONMENTAL DURABILITY OF GLASS-FIBER COMPOSITES

Durability of glass-fiber/polymer composites is dictated by the durabi lity of the components: glass fiber, matrix, and the interface. Enviro nmental attack by moisture, for example, can degrade the strength of t he glass fiber; plasticize, swell, or microcrack the resin; and degrad e the fiber/matrix interface by either chemical or mechanical attack. The relative rates of these degradation processes are a function of th e chemistry of the resin, temperature, length of time of exposure, deg ree of stress (whether cyclic or static), chemistry and morphology of coating of coupling agent on the glass fiber, and type of glass fiber. Several examples illustrate how the chemistry and morphology of the c oatings of coupling agents that are on the glass fiber influence the s trength and durability of the interfacial region.