Thermomechanical and hygroelastic properties of an epoxy system under humid and cold-warm cycling conditions

In this paper, we study the hygrothermal aging of an anhydride-cured epoxy under temperature and hygrometry conditions simulating those experienced by an aircraft in wet tropical or subtropical regions. Gravimetric and dimensional measurements were performed and they indicate that there are three stages in this aging process: the first one, corresponding to the early cycles can be called the “induction stage”. The second stage of about 1000...