Degradation of an epoxy-glass-fibre laminate under photo-oxidation/leaching complementary constraints

A tubular, stratified glass-epoxy material composite has undergone artifici al or natural ageing. After photo-ageing, the ablation of the organic matri x is measured with precision by means of an original method allowing for th e morphological evolution analysis of the material's surface. The measureme nts of the ablation during artificial photo-ageing have led to an innovativ e hypothesis concerning the establishment of a thin photo-oxidation layer i n close vicinity to the irradiated surface of the organic matrix. In a natu ral environment, from time-to-time rains leach the thin photo-oxidation lav er and create a significant complementary ablation. To verify the complemen tarity of the photo-oxidation and leaching effects, irradiation/leaching cy cles are carried out. The experimental results confirm that the thin photo- oxidation layer is in close vicinity to the surface and that its hydrolysis is strong. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .