| Abstract: | Injection molded glass–fiber reinforced polyamide 66 composites and unreinforced polymer samples have been characterized during conditioning up to 900 h in water, ethylene glycol, and water–glycol mixture at 50 and 70°C. All materials showed significant fluid and temperature‐dependent weight and volume increase. Glass reinforcement significantly reduced the polymer fluid uptake. The absorption of the antifreeze mixture initially follows a simple rule of mixtures of the absorption of the two individual components. However, after absorption of ∼5% a significantly higher than predicted level of antifreeze absorption was observed. This coincided with a significant increase in the volumetric swelling coefficient. Dynamic mechanical analysis and unnotched impact testing indicated significant changes in composite mechanical performance dependent on conditioning fluid and temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers |
