Volume 13, Issue 6, 2004

MODELLING of Moisture sorption by CFRP REBARS with vinylester matrix

Olesja Starkova*, Andrey Aniskevich

Institute of Polymer Mechanics, University of Latvia, 23 Aizkraukles Street, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
E-mail: olesja@pmi.lv

(Received 6/04; accepted 12/04)

ABSTRACT
The results of experimental investigation and modelling of moisture sorption by CFRP rebars and vinylester matrix are presented. Experimental values of the rebar diffusion coefficients essentially differ from those predicted using structural approach. Essential anisotropy of sorption process in longitudinal and transverse directions is observed. Quasi three phase model is suggested for description of the CFRP rebar sorption. The model is based on consideration of sorption process of the diffusion character in the composite consisted of two phases: resin and microplastic, which includes fibres and fibre-resin interphase. The suggested model describes the experimental sorption data quite satisfactorily and explains high anisotropy effect.
 

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