HYGROTHERMAL AGING STUDIES OF SHORT CARBON-FIBER-REINFORCED NYLON-6.6

A study of hygrothermal aging, in terms of the kinetics of moisture ab sorption by nylon 6.6 and its carbon fiber-reinforced composites, has been undertaken. The diffusion of water into the various materials was investigated at 100% relative humidity, by immersion of specimens in water at temperatures of between 25 and 100-degrees-C. A mathematical treatment used in analyzing the data was that of a single free phase m odel of diffusion, which assumed Fickian diffusion and utilized Fick's second law of diffusion. Good agreement was observed between the expe rimental and theoretical values. The equilibrium moisture content and the apparent diffusion coefficient of the various composites were eval uated. Hygrothermal aging has reduced the tensile properties of both u nreinforced and reinforced nylon 6.6, albeit a better recoverability o f the properties was achieved by the former after drying. This behavio r is explained in terms of the combined action of moisture-induced pla sticization and interfacial degradation. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, I nc.