MODIFICATION OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS AFTER SHORT TIME EXPOSURE TO UV RADIATION

Abstract

During life conditions, the composite structures are subjected to environmental factors: variations in humidity, temperature, UV radiations, chemical and biological agents which lead to mechanical properties modification of them. From a mechanical point of view, the exposure to UV radiation can produce, on the one hand, the change in elastic characteristics, and on the other hand the appearance of stress concentrators on the surface of the polymeric material (which can lead to its premature failure). The aim of this paper is to evaluate the physical and mechanical features of ageing glass fibres chopped strands reinforced polymeric composite, denoted MAT300. The coefficients of color change were determined with chroma meter before and after UV exposure. Then, the control samples were subjected to tensile and three points bending since the other samples were tested after exposure to ultraviolet radiation UV-A radiation for 216 hours.