ABSTRACT:

Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites are attractive materials for construction of offshore structures. However there are concerns about the durability of these materials in extreme environment. Temperature and moisture play a crucial role on the life cycle of these composites. Influence of alkaline and saline environment is also important Ultra violet rays, repetitive freezing and thawing, load cycling, and creep" under sustained load are other important issues. Fire hazards and flammability of the materials are also important for consideration. This paper briefly summarizes the impact of all these issues on the durability of the FRP materials.

INTRODUCTION

FRP composites represent a new class of materials, the excellent durability of which is the primary reason for its use in many long term applications of structural elements ranging from spacecraft to ladder rails, from aircraft win∼ to automobile doors or from tennis rackets to liquid gas tanks. However, when a specific application is contemplated, it is essential for the designers to know not only the answers to questions regarding strength and stiffness, but also the question of how long the material will last under the conditions anticipated. These are the durability issues of a material. In a general sense, the life of an engineering component is difficult to define. Many factors play roles in reducing the life. Most materials change characteristics by interaction With their surroundings over time. For example in case of steel, oxidation leads to rusting. Presence of water accelerates the process. What changes are likely to happen to FRP composites under a given service conditions? If these changes are known beforehand then those changes can be accommodated in the design. And to accommodate these changes in the design, the rate of change and the effects of those changes on the behavior also must be known.

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