Abstract
Aramid fiber reinforced plastics (ArFRP) is being applied in severe service conditions, such as aeronautical or space environments. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate their strength in various environments. In the present study, static tensile and fatigue tests of dry and wet specimens of ArFRP were carried out at room temperature and at cryogenic temperature, 77K. Two types of aramid fibers, du Pont's Kevlar49® and Teijin's Technora® were used for the reinforcement. The fractured specimens were inspected under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) after the tests and the fracture mechanisms were analyzed. The tensile strength of individual aramid fibers was also measured at the same temperatures. The effects of cryogenic temperature and water absorption on the strength of ArFRP and aramid fibers were made clear.
