Hygrothermal and Stacking Sequence Effects on Carbon Epoxy Composites with Molded Edges

Moisture and high temperature may cause a variety of effects on the mechanical and thermophysical properties of polymeric composites. The diffusion of moisture in the laminate occurs primarily by capillarity until a state of equilibrium is reached. Moisture affects the matrix and the fiber/matrix interface. The stacking sequence and the free edge finishing may affect the laminate tensile strength causing a free edge delamination; they can also...