Moisture absorption and mechanical degradation studies of PMI foam cored fiber/epoxy resin sandwich composites

The present paper explores the result of hygrothermic aging of polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam core sandwich composites immersed in different temperature deionized (DI) and sea waters. The prepared specimens were tested for moisture up-take behavior and the resulting property degradation in terms of flexural and flat wise compressive strength. The results indicate that the saturated hygroscopic time of specimens immersed in low temperature water and high temperature water is about 480h and 720h, respectively. Due to the presence of ionic in sea water, the specimens immersed in sea water have higher compressive and flexural strength than specimens immersed in DI water.