This study examines the effects of natural seawater ageing on mechanical properties, including tensile strength and flexural strength of flax fiber reinforced polymers (FFRP). Specimens were subjected to a natural seawater environment in periods of exposure of one, three, and five months, as well as a reference group that was kept at room temperature. Water absorption and desorption were measured by weighing the specimens before and after exposure. All submerged specimens exhibited varying levels of microorganisms and adhering algae attachment to the material surface, as well as subsequent growth rates. Both tensile and flexural properties were measured and compared to reference specimens, which were kept in a dry room environment. Various levels of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) degradation were observed for different exposure times for tensile testing specimens, as well as a reduction in maximum flexural strain for three-point bending test specimens.
Banjanin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.