Hygrothermal Aging Behavior of Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide Composites Under Different Liquid Media

Abstract

This study aims to explore the hygrothermal aging behavior and damage mechanism of short glass fiber-reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS/GF) composites under three complex environments: seawater, coolant, and alkali solution. The evolution of mechanical properties during hygrothermal aging was investigated through tensile, bending, and impact tests. Through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the chemical structure of the resin did not change before and after hygrothermal aging. Analysis of the fiber-resin interface through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and microbond test showed that interfacial damage was the primary reason for the decrease in mechanical properties of PPS/GF composites. Furthermore, single-fiber tensile tests and FTIR study on fibers in an alkali solution environment revealed additional damage inflicted by the alkali solution on glass fibers.

Keywords: Polyphenylene Sulfide, Glass fiber, Hydrothermal aging, Interface