Effect of prepreg storage humidity on the mixed-mode fracture toughness of a co-cured composite joint

The present work investigated the effect of the level of prepreg moisture content on the mixed-mode fracture toughness of a co-cured composite joint. It was found that moisture was stored in the prepreg as either free or bound water. It was also shown that the prepreg stores moisture from high humidity environments as free water, while the level of bound water remains unaffected. The excessive moisture was shown to plasticise the adhesive, lowering the glass transition temperature. The fracture toughness decreased under mode I and mode II loading as the humidity level was increased. There was a significant increase in mixed-mode toughness under low humidity conditions. Although the mixed-mode toughness reduced with increasing levels of humidity, the values never fell below that of the joints fabricated using the as-received materials.