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<p>Interfacial adhesion in composite materials is a critical factor that significantly influences their mechanical properties and durability. This study investigates the interfacial adhesion and degradational mechanism of glass (GFES), carbon (CFES), and Kevlar (KFES) fibre–epoxy composite systems using statistically robust multiple fibre pullout tests. The composite systems were exposed to geographically relevant hygrothermal conditions at ambient 35&#xa0;°C/85% RH and 45&#xa0;°C/95% RH, which represent realistic tropical exposure and accelerated ageing. The approach addresses meso-scale interface behaviour, statistical reliability, and effectively represents interfacial frictional effects and realistic volume fractions. The moisture uptake behaviour, intrinsic bond strength (IBS), interfacial frictional stress (IFFS), and interfacial shear stress (IFSS) were the key parameters evaluated. To understand the physicochemical mechanisms at the interface, post-failure specimens were analysed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The hygrothermal exposure reduces IBS in all fibre–epoxy systems: GFES by 35.2%, CFES by 36.5% and KFES by 10.4% from ambient conditions. Similarly, the IFSS decreases for CFES and remains stable for GFES but increases appreciably for KFES due to Poisson expansion effects. FTIR and EDX confirmed the presence of silane-based coatings on glass fibres, oxidative functional groups on carbon fibres, and amide-related groups on Kevlar, with no additional sizing applied in this investigation. This study advances the understanding of the durability of composite interfaces under hygrothermal environments, particularly for thin composite sections, drones, and aged and coated components with surface microcracks exposed to hygrothermal stresses.</p>

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Meso-Scale Interfacial Degradation of Glass, Carbon, and Kevlar Fibre–Epoxy Composites Under Ambient and Hygrothermal Conditions: A Multiple Fibre Pullout Approach

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Rameshkumar Ramachandran,
  • Padmanabhan Krishnan

摘要

Interfacial adhesion in composite materials is a critical factor that significantly influences their mechanical properties and durability. This study investigates the interfacial adhesion and degradational mechanism of glass (GFES), carbon (CFES), and Kevlar (KFES) fibre–epoxy composite systems using statistically robust multiple fibre pullout tests. The composite systems were exposed to geographically relevant hygrothermal conditions at ambient 35 °C/85% RH and 45 °C/95% RH, which represent realistic tropical exposure and accelerated ageing. The approach addresses meso-scale interface behaviour, statistical reliability, and effectively represents interfacial frictional effects and realistic volume fractions. The moisture uptake behaviour, intrinsic bond strength (IBS), interfacial frictional stress (IFFS), and interfacial shear stress (IFSS) were the key parameters evaluated. To understand the physicochemical mechanisms at the interface, post-failure specimens were analysed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The hygrothermal exposure reduces IBS in all fibre–epoxy systems: GFES by 35.2%, CFES by 36.5% and KFES by 10.4% from ambient conditions. Similarly, the IFSS decreases for CFES and remains stable for GFES but increases appreciably for KFES due to Poisson expansion effects. FTIR and EDX confirmed the presence of silane-based coatings on glass fibres, oxidative functional groups on carbon fibres, and amide-related groups on Kevlar, with no additional sizing applied in this investigation. This study advances the understanding of the durability of composite interfaces under hygrothermal environments, particularly for thin composite sections, drones, and aged and coated components with surface microcracks exposed to hygrothermal stresses.