Aging of organic matrix composites

The aging mechanisms of organic matrix composites (OMCs) are very diverse and vary according to the polymer, aging conditions such as temperature, humidity and oxygen pressure, but also according to the reference state (curing cycle, cooling rate, internal stresses), processing conditions (injection, contact, RTM (Resin Transfer Molding...)) and material structure (geometry). They do not necessarily imply a degradation of mechanical properties, although in the case of composite materials for structural applications, it is these properties that are used to define sizing for in-service certification and to limit service life.

Data are available to address the long-term behavior of monolithic structures, but the problem is becoming more complex with the development of new matrices (self-adhesive, multiphase, etc.), the increasingly frequent use of new hybrid structures...