Investigation of Microstructural Humid Deformations in Epoxy Fiberglass at Heat-Humidity Corrosion Using Fiber-Optic Deformation sensors

Abstract

In the present work, the possibility of using integrated fiber-optic deformation sensors (Bragg’s sensors) to control the state of the fiberglass on an epoxy anhydride hot cure binder is studied. Sensors are located in different layers of the layered plastic reinforced by a biaxial fiberglass cloth. A package has a quasi-isotropic structure. A sample is prepared by the method of vacuum impregnation and it is exposed to the action of water vapor with the relative humidity of 95% at 80°C. It is found that the moisture sorption in the composite occurs by a relaxation mechanism and is accompanied by a nonmonotonic change of swelling deformation in different layers of epoxy fiberglass. The swelling deformations in different layers of fiberglass are detected, their evolution during heat-humidity corrosion is shown, and, based on these data, the working capacity of the system of the measurements of the humid deformations of the fiberglass using for pipe production is confirmed.