Damage mechanisms in glass/epoxy composites subjected to simultaneous humidity and freeze-thaw cycles

The damage mechanism in a composite plate with an edge notch influenced by water freezing and subjected to bending loading is investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy images. The microstructure of the composite plate around the notch tip induced by freeze-thaw cycles is compared to dry specimens and showed a change in shape of the notch in micro-scale as well as introducing surface minor damage after conditioning. Moreover, the fracture...