| AVS 64th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Actinides and Rare Earths Focus Topic | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session AC-TuP |
| Session: | Actinide and Rare Earth Poster Session |
| Presenter: | Dorina Mihut, Mercer University |
| Authors: | D. Mihut, Mercer University A. Afshar, Mercer University S. Hill, Mercer University G. Negrea, Technical University Cluj Napoca, Romania R. Alyamani, Mercer University A. Aldhubaie, Mercer University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Abstract:
Epoxy resins based materials are widely used as a matrix component for marine, aviation, transportation and civil infrastructures as they are light weight and are offering high strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio as well as good corrosion resistance. However, during their usage these materials are exposed to exterior environmental effects which can significantly degrade their mechanical properties and preclude their prolonged use. The present research investigates the influence of metallic and ceramic coatings in order to enhance the mechanical behavior of the epoxy resin based substrate materials to a combination of exterior factors: ultraviolet (UV) radiation, moisture and erosion. The metallic and ceramic coatings were deposited using high vacuum DC magnetron sputtering equipment. The pristine and coated polymer based samples were further exposed to continuous and cyclic UV radiation and moisture (ASTM G 154 standard). The samples’ morphology was characterized using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis was used for determining the chemical composition of the coatings. The mechanical properties of all samples were tested using the standardized three points bending test and their erosion behavior was also tested using an erosion tester.