Hygrothermal Effect on the Compressive Strength of Uniaxial Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites.

Effect of temperature, moisture, and temperature and moisture combined (i.e., hygrothermal) on the compressive strength of four types of uniaxially fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have been evaluated using the theoretical model [12] of fibers microbuckling as the cause of failure under compression. The purpose is to show the severity of reduction in compressive strength of PMCs caused solely due to plasticization of the matrix, when the geometrical and material imperfection factors, which are almost unavoidable and cause further reduction in strength, are not incorporated and accounted for in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]