Abstract
This study investigates the effect of water absorption on the dynamic compression properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). First, the relationship between the water absorption ratio and the time of the CFRP and epoxy resin specimens at various temperatures is obtained. Then experiments under quasistatic conditions and high strain rates with a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) provide a relationship between the strain rate and the compressive strength. The results show that the compressive strength of the test sample depends on the strain rate before and after water absorption. Meanwhile, water absorption significantly reduces the compressive strength of both CFRP and epoxy resin. Observation of the fiber structure further indicates that the decrease in strength due to fiber-matrix delamination is the main cause of the decrease in CFRP strength after water absorption.
