Influence of fiber laminated thickness on the hygrothermal property of HNT-GFRP nanocomposites for the RFI process-based structures
Glass fiber–halloysite nanotube (GF/HNT) nanocomposites were fabricated with different numbers of fiber layers and were exposed to a high-temperature water environment to analyze the role of the HNTs regarding the relationship of interface between the fibers and the moisture absorption behavior. The sections of the GF/HNT nanocomposite plates were divided, and the change in the moisture absorption rate was measured. As a result, the ratio of the HNT to epoxy resin was not related to the water deterioration phenomenon according to the fiber-laminated thickness. However, in the curing process after the vacuum bag molding, the external pressure that was applied to each interface influences the flow characteristics and promotes the occurrence of HNT agglomeration, which interferes with interfacial crosslinking.