Abstract

Techniques for studying the mechanisms of chemical corrosion in fiber-reinforced plastics are of considerable importance. The most common analysis technique for studying chemical changes in polymers is Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. For polymers reinforced with graphite fibers, however, study of the matrix is hindered by the presence of the graphite, which strongly absorbs IR radiation in a broad band of wavelengths. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation of AS-4/3501-5a graphite/epoxy composite material exposed to solutions of hydrogen peroxide. Evidence was also sought for degradation in high pH (up to pH = 12) solutions. After long-term environmental exposure, a simple gravity flotation technique was used to separate the epoxy matrix from the graphite fibers for FT-IR analysis. The resulting spectroscopic evidence indicates that hydrogen peroxide attacks the secondary amines in the cured epoxy structure. No evidence of attack by high pH solutions was found.

Thermomechanical Stability of Graphite/Epoxy Composites

W. R. Goggin
Appl. Opt. 13(2) 444-450 (1974)

Enhanced mid-infrared multi-bounce ATR spectroscopy for online detection of hydrogen peroxide using a supercontinuum laser

Christoph Gasser, Jakob Kilgus, Michael Harasek, Bernhard Lendl, and Markus Brandstetter
Opt. Express 26(9) 12169-12179 (2018)

Surface-wettable nonenzymatic fiber-optic sensor for selective detection of hydrogen peroxide

Wei Wang, Meijing Hong, Nai-Kei Wong, Jianbin Deng, Zesen Li, Yang Ran, Jie Li, Lipeng Sun, Long Jin, and Bai-Ou Guan
Opt. Express 30(15) 26975-26987 (2022)

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Appl. Opt. 5(5) 831-834 (1966)

Applications of holographic interferometry to structural and dynamic analysis of an advanced graphite-epoxy composite component

Howard Fein
Opt. Express 3(1) 35-44 (1998)