Abstract
Potential uses for fiber reinforced polymer composite materials in the petroleum industry, especially in offshore applications, is substantial. Most fiber reinforced polymer composites currently used in offshore are found in low load carrying applications. When technology for economical oil production at ocean depths of 2000 meters is available, exploration and production at these deep water locations will be stimulated. A concern to be resolved is the effect of seawater on the long-term durability of fiber reinforced polymer composite materials. The single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT) and Kelly-Tyson shear lag analysis were used to evaluate the effect of seawater on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy composite materials and to determine the effect of moisture on glass fiber strength. The four systems tested were: AS4D/Epoxy A, OCF 158B/Epoxy A, Vetrotex CertainTeed 64E-A5/DER 383, and OCF 158B/BP E719G. The OCF 158B/Epoxy A and Vetrotex CertainTeed 64E-A5/DER 383 systems were incompatible with the SFFT. The AS4D/Epoxy A system at 1.40% moisture content (saturated) showed less than a 20% decrease in IFSS. The OCF 158B/BP E719G system had less than 6% difference between the 1.02% moisture condition (as-fabricated) and 2.85% moisture condition (saturated). Glass fiber strength showed less than IO% decrease from moisture.
Pratt, Barbara Ann (1996). Determining the effect of seawater on the interfacial shear strength of fiber reinforced epoxies using the single fiber fragmentation test. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1996 -THESIS -P725.