Keyword: «open porosity»

The work is devoted to investigation of polymer material structure and revealing its dependence on conditions and regime of processes occurring at the moment of polymer matrix curing and deformation, as well as the influence of filler and its adhesion to polymer matrix. Initial diagnostics of the structure of glass-reinforced plastic based on epoxy binder ED-20 and glass fabric TR-560-30A (100) was carried out in the experiment to further study the effect of very cold climate of Yakutsk on the strength and deformation characteristics of the composite material.

Research about the influence of a cold climate on the structure and elastic-strength properties of polymer composite materials is carried out in order to predict the kinetics of the development of degradation of the surface of a composite material during climatic aging, as well as to develop recommendations on methods for protecting existing and creating new promising polymer composite materials. The exposure of samples was carried out at the open site of the test site of the Institute of Physics and Technology Problems of the North for 24 and 48 months. As markers of degradation of the polymer binder in basalt and fiberglass textolites, we used the index of the average range of surface inhomogeneities, open porosity, density, absorption bands of IR spectra, and the index of equilibrium moisture content, diffusion coefficient before and after exposure to climatic factors.

It is relevant in the field of PCM research to study the influence of Arctic climatic conditions characterized by high temperature difference, humidity and intense solar radiation in the summer season on their properties. Also, a relevant task is to study the influence of bio-infestation on the structure and strength of PCM, since microorganisms use the binder composition as a source of life support. The paper presents comparisons of bending and tensile strength of hybrid PCMs, as well as their open porosity, after 1 year of natural exposure and samples exposed for 12 months, with preliminary biocontamination.