Effect of Hygrothermal Aging and Water Absorption on Polymer Composites

Abstract

Polymer composites are well-known versatile materials that manifest various promising characteristics. These materials have been broadly utilized for a wide range of engineering applications such as aerospace, automobile, and construction to substitute metal alloys with the aim of reducing the overall weight of the structures while improving specific mechanical properties. One of the most challenging issues in polymer composites is associated with the hygrothermal aging effect, which could greatly undermine the residual strength and structural integrity of the materials. From this standpoint, it is vital to scrutinize the hygrothermal aging and water-absorbing mechanism of polymer composites. Therefore, this chapter aims to discuss the water-absorbing mechanism of polymer composites and the driving factors that lead to hygrothermal aging and rapid water absorption. Moreover, several techniques to reduce water absorption and avoid hygrothermal aging are discussed in detail. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.