Influence of water aging on vibration-damping behavior of fiber reinforced composite laminates

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of water aging on vibration-damping properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites using experimental and analytical methods. Three different solutions (pure water, saltwater and alkaline water) were used for aging process. Specimens were immersed in solutions at constant room temperature and vibration tests were conducted for different periods of time as well as weight measurements. Water uptake ratio and diffusion coefficients were calculated via weight measurement procedure as the time progressed. Using diffusion coefficient, water uptake was plotted analytically and compared with experimental measurements. According to study, aqueous environment aging on basalt fiber reinforced polymeric composites did not cause significant change in natural frequency but led to approximately 29% increase in damping properties. According to water absorption tests, specimens aged in NaOH and saltwater solutions followed Fickian behavior at initial and saturation stages, however, pure water absorption behavior of basalt fiber reinforced composites did not show Fickian diffusion. Instead, a multi stage behavior was observed in terms of water sorption and desorption.