Thermodilatometric methods of analysis are used to study the structural parameters of polymer materials, however, when studying moisture-saturated compositions certain difficulties arise in their identification. The results of thermophysical tests of VKU-25 carbon fiber samples in the initial state and after moisture saturation are presented. It is shown that heat treatment of materials affects the recorded values of the glass transition temperature of the epoxy matrix. When the samples are exposed in water or above the water surface, the sorbate penetrates into the polymer at the same rate, which is confirmed by almost identical values of water absorption at the same exposure time. The estimates of the thermal coefficient of linear expansion (TCLE) of the samples in the range of 20 - 250°C are given. Moreover, it is shown that the glass transition temperature of the plasticized polymer matrix depends on the direction of fiber reinforcement. In the case of moisture-saturated carbon fiber (CF)heated to 210°C, the formation of main cracks occurs mainly at the fiber-matrix interface. The glass transition temperature (GTT) of the material in the dry state (176 - 177°C), appeared almost independent on the heating rate, whereas for water-saturated samples, GTT changes significantly and can be described by a polynomial of the 2nd order. After exposure of the carbon fiber under conditions of high temperature and humidity, two relaxation transitions corresponding to the systems occur in the polymer matrix: epoxidian oligomer— amine hardener and polyfunctional resin— amine hardener. The glass transition temperature is 132 and 159°C in the first and in the second, respectively. The results obtained can be used in the development of new polymer composite materials.
