Accelerated testing for long-term durability of GFRP laminates for marine use

Our proposed accelerated testing methodology for the long term durability of polymer composites is based on the time-temperature superposition principle to be held for the viscoelasticity of polymer matrix. The long term flexural fatigue life of plain woven glass fiber/vinyl-ester (GFRP) laminates for conventional marine use was predicted based on the proposed methodology. As results, the flexural fatigue strengths of GFRP laminates decreases strongly with increasing time and temperature as well as the number of cycles to failure. The long term fatigue strength at any time, temperature and number of cycles to failure can be predicted using the master curves of fatigue strength obtained based on our proposed accelerated testing methodology. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.