Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
POLYMERS, cilt.18, sa.2, ss.1-14, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Carbon-reinforced epoxy laminated composite (CREC) structures are increasingly utilized
in high-speed marine vehicles (HSMVs) due to their high specific strength and stiffness;
however, they are frequently subjected to impact loads like slamming and aggressive
environmental agents during operation. This study experimentally investigates the Compression
After Impact (CAI) behavior of CREC plates with varying lamination sequences
under both atmospheric and accelerated aging conditions. The samples were produced
using the vacuum-assisted resin infusion method with three specific orientation types:
quasi-isotropic, cross-ply, and angle-ply. To simulate the marine environment, specimens
were subjected to accelerated aging in a salt fog and cyclic corrosion cabin for periods
of 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Before and following the aging process, low-velocity impact tests
were conducted at an energy level of 30 J, after which the residual compressive strength
was measured by CAI tests. At the end of the aging process, after the sixth week, the
performance of plates with different layer configuration characteristics can be summarized
as follows: Plates 1 and 2, which are quasi-isotropic, exhibit opposite behavior. Plate 1,
with an initial toughness of 23,000 mJ, increases its performance to 27,000 mJ as it ages,
while these values are around 27,000 and 17,000 mJ, respectively, for Plate 2. It is thought
that the difference in configurations creates this difference, and the presence of the 0◦ layer
under the effect of compression load at the beginning and end of the configuration has
a performance-enhancing effect. In Plates 3 and 4, which have a cross-ply configuration,
almost the same performance is observed; the performance, which is initially 13,000 mJ,
increases to around 23,000 mJ with the effect of aging. Among the options, angle-ply Plates
5 and 6 demonstrate the highest performance with values around 35,000 mJ, along with an
undefined aging effect. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray
Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the presence of matrix cracking, fiber breakage,
and salt accumulation (Na and Ca compounds) on the aged surfaces. The study concludes
that the impact of environmental aging on CRECs is not uniformly negative; while it
degrades certain configurations, it can enhance the toughness and energy absorption of
brittle, cross-ply structures through matrix plasticization.