Glassfiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) have been applied in the offshore industry owing to their high resistance to corrosion and high specific mechanical strength. The present work aimed at characterizing pipes and adhesives used in offshore platforms in order to evaluate the thermo-mechanical performance of these materials. The techniques used were: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and Vicat softening temperature. Specimens of GFRP pipe and adhesive components (referred to as A and B) were evaluated individually. The adhesive samples were made in the following ratios (% weight): 40%A-60%B, 50%A-50%B and 60%A-40%B. The results showed it to be possible to determinate the composition and structure of the materials, as well as the mechanical behavior regarding thermal degradation. The adhesive and pipe exhibited satisfactory performance at room temperature, with regard to degradation and stiffness. Nevertheless, at higher temperatures, both materials, especially the adhesives, presented abrupt strength reduction.
Adhesives; GFRP; offshore industry; temperature effect
