Gamma irradiation aging of glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite

Gamma-ray (γ-ray) irradiation is a crucial factor of physical and mechanical aging of nuclear industry used materials. Fiber reinforced composites are regarded as an alternative of traditional materials used on nuclear facilities due to its high specific strength and stiffness, light weight and good corrosion resistance. In this study, E-glass/AG80/DDS composite laminates were fabricated using autoclave process and treated with a ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation dose up to 2.0MGy. The discoloration and mass increase were studied to characterize the influence of γ-ray on the physical change of GFRP composite laminates. Moreover, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) test was conduct to detect the attenuation of interfacial property and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is performed to observe the configurations of fractographic morphology of ILSS specimens. The experimental results show that obvious discoloration occurs after irradiation. Polymer chain scission and Tg decrease of AG80 resin are detected. The interlaminar shear strength of GFRP indicates a increasing on from unirradiated to irradiation dose of 1.5 MGy, reaches to a maximum on the dose of 1.5MGy and decreases above the dose of 2.0MGy.