Effect of gamma irradiation on the mechanical behavior, thermal properties and structure of epoxy/glass-fiber composite

• We studied the radiation resistance of the glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite.
• The ILSS at 77 K was not affected up to 5 MGy but decreased significantly at 10 MGy.
• The Tg of the resin decreased slightly with the increase of irradiation dose.
• The composite appears to be resistant to a dose of 5.0 MGy.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the mechanical, thermal properties and structure of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites was investigated. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) at 77 K and the fracture morphology of the composites were evaluated as a function of radiation dose. In addition, the molecular structure and the thermal stability of epoxy matrix were investigated by means of UV–Vis spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). It is found that the ILSS at 77 K was affected scarcely up to 5 MGy but decreased significantly after 10 MGy irradiation. The thermal properties of the resin decreased with the increasing irradiation dose. These results can be interpreted by the crosslinking and degradation of the epoxy matrix. The composite appears to be resistant to a dose of 5.0 MGy.