Work

Durability of vacuum infused GFRP composites exposed to natural and artificial accelerated weathering

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The available literature provides limited information on how different weathering environments influence the durability of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, especially for thick vacuum infused laminates. Against this backdrop, this paper presents the results of an experimental study on the effects of natural and artificial accelerated weathering on 6.5 mm thick vacuum infused glass-FRP (GFRP) composites, produced with unsaturated isophthalic polyester and vinyl ester resins. Natural exposure was conducted at four different outdoor locations in Portugal, for periods of 12 and 24 months. The composites were also subjected to artificial accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber for up to 10,000 hours. After each exposure period, aesthetic changes (visual inspection, colour and gloss), thermomechanical behaviour (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Glass Transition Temperature, Tg) and mechanical properties (tension, compression, flexure, in-plane shear and interlaminar shear) were evaluated. All weathering environments caused pronounced colour changes and fibre blooming. Across the different natural ageing environments, the maximum degradation ranged in 1-5 °C in Tg, 3-4% in tensile strength, 4‑9% in compressive strength, 9-14% in flexural strength, and 1-2% in in-plane (IP) shear strength, while interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) suffered no reduction. Under artificial accelerated weathering, the reduction in flexural strength varied between 6% and 7%, while ILSS presented no reduction as in natural weathering. No relevant differences were observed in the weathering performance of the two resin systems. The reductions in mechanical properties remained well within the 50-year conversion factor for outdoor exposure provided in CEN/TS 19101:2022.

Source: Construction and Building Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.146482

Authors: Tarikul Hasan, João Ramôa Correia, Mário Garrido, Susana Cabral-Fonseca, José Sena-Cruz

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Técnico, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, University of Minho

Language: English

Topic: Fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,540

Funder: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia