Water ageing effects on the elastic and viscoelastic behaviour of epoxy-based materials used in marine environment

Q. Dezulier (1) , Alexandre Clement (1) , P. Davies (2) , M. Arhant (2) , B. Flageul (2) , F. Jacquemin (1)

1 GeM - Institut de Recherche en Génie Civil et Mécanique
2 IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer

Both experimental tests and numerical simulations have been performed in this study to analyse the influence of long-term immersion (over 500 days) on the hygro-elastic and hygro-viscoelastic behaviour of epoxy resin samples. First, a diffusive and swelling campaign was carried out with water immersion at 25°C and 60°C. Various experimental tests have also been undertaken at different stages of ageing to highlight and quantify the influence of water diffusion on elastic and viscoelastic properties. A model is then proposed to simulate the hygro-viscoelastic behaviour of the studied material through finite element simulations. A good agreement between the experimental and numerical results is observed.

Keywords: Thermosetting resin; creep; ageing; analytical modelling; finite element analysis

Domains: Mechanics of materials [physics.class-ph]

Q. Dezulier, Alexandre Clement, P. Davies, M. Arhant, B. Flageul, et al.. Water ageing effects on the elastic and viscoelastic behaviour of epoxy-based materials used in marine environment. Composites Part B: Engineering, In press, ⟨10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110090⟩. ⟨hal-03711552⟩