Study of resin coating adhesion on GFRP laminate surfaces after UV degradation

Abstract

This paper describes research on the effect of UV radiation on the surface of a GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) laminate in the context of increasing the adhesion between the laminate and polymer resin coatings. GFRP composite samples were prepared using the hand lay-up method. The samples were then exposed to various types of ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, UVC) for 1000 h, with surface roughness measurements every 100 h. The flexural strength of laminates after photoaging was tested, which showed an increase in the strength of aged laminates compared to the reference sample by approximately 5–10 %. Coatings of various thicknesses were applied to the surface of the aged laminates and their adhesion to the substrate material was tested using the mandrel bending method alongside the cross-cut technique. The greatest change in surface roughness was observed on the sample exposed to UVC radiation, where the roughness increased approximately twice in relation to the reference sample. Coating adhesion tests have additionally shown that degradation under the influence of UVC has a positive effect on the adhesion of coatings to the laminate.