The effect of ageing on the damage events in woven-fibre composite materials under different loading conditions

The use of composite materials for structural applications requires the analysis of parameters such as the long-term behaviour in aggressive environments. The effects of accelerated ageing conditions on woven-fibre composite materials are analysed after an exposure from 1300 hours at 70 degreesC with 95% of relative humidity. The materials studied are two composites composed of glass-fibre reinforcement (twill and satin weaves) with two types of epoxy resin matrix. This paper aims to investigate the parameters of composite degradation under loading and ageing conditions and to understand damage events by means of techniques such as acoustic emissions and microscopic observations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.