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Durability of Composites in the Marine Environment

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Durability of Composites in a Marine Environment

Part of the book series: Solid Mechanics and Its Applications ((SMIA,volume 208))

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of key considerations for the successful application of fibre reinforced composites in the marine environment. It is intended to complement and update an earlier text Searle and Summerscales (Effect of Water Absorption on Time–Temperature Dependent Strength of Unidirectional CFRP). After consideration of factors affecting the environmental resistance of conventional composites, the potential for natural fibre reinforced polymer composites is briefly discussed. Finally it is argued that Quantitative Life Cycle Assessment is essential to establish the “sustainability” of any system.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to colleagues, Jasper Graham-Jones and Stephen Grove, for their respective comments on the draft manuscript of this Chapter. Thanks are also due to Paul Harder Cohen (KMT Nord in Denmark) for additional references on cavitation erosion of composites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Composites Manufacturing Centre, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University, Reynolds Building, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, England

    John Summerscales

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  1. John Summerscales
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Correspondence to John Summerscales .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Structures Group, IFREMER, Centre de Bretagne, Plouzane, France

    Peter Davies

  2. Solid Mechanics Division, Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, USA

    Yapa D.S. Rajapakse

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Summerscales, J. (2014). Durability of Composites in the Marine Environment. In: Davies, P., Rajapakse, Y. (eds) Durability of Composites in a Marine Environment. Solid Mechanics and Its Applications, vol 208. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7417-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7417-9_1

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