Evaluation of the Effects of Fluids Upon the Flexural and Parallel-plate Loading Behavior of Glass Fiber Reinforced-vinyl Ester Resin Matrix Composite Pipes

Commercial glass fiber reinforced-vinyl ester resin composite pipes used in onshore and offshore utilities were exposed to the action of fluids that could normally come into contact with them during their service life, namely: salt water, biodiesel and a mixture of water and oil. The influence of these fluids upon the flexural properties and parallel-plate loading behavior of the composites was evaluated. The results of the mechanical tests point out that physical aging was the main phenomenon, and that it causes a reduction of stiffness of around 20-30% – at the parallel-plate test – and a decrease of toughness of up to 40% – at the flexural test. The results of the flexural tests were very dependent of the inhomogeneous microstructure of the commercial composite analyzed.

glass fibers composites; environmental aging; mechanical properties; parallel-plate test