Effect of immersion into seawater and freshwater to mechanical properties of vinyl ester carbon composite

The carbon-vinyl ester composites have been developed as a base material for Amphibious floats. This composite has properties of strength, lighter weight and resistant to corrosion. This research aimed to know the effect of immersion into seawater and freshwater to the mechanical properties of vinyl ester carbon composite manufactured from vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) method. Experiments have been carried out on the tensile, compressive, and shear tests. A 10-day duration for immersion is required in seawater and freshwater. The results exhibit that the Ultimate Tensile Strength of the composite with seawater immersion declined by 1.27% compared to the composite without immersion treatment. Meanwhile, the composite in freshwater obtains above 3.56%. Compressive and shear strength decrement was observed more significantly than their tensile strength. The compressive strength for freshwater and seawater treatment declined to 17.89% and 16.7%, respectively. Additionally, the shear strength for freshwater and seawater treatment decreased by 27.87 % and 25.77%, respectively.