Effects of distilled water and saline solution on the interlaminar shear strength of an aramid/epoxy composite

Abstract The effect of distilled water and saline solution upon the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of an aramid fibre-reinforced epoxy composite has been evaluated. Experimental results showed that the composite is affected by a similar degradation mechanism in both media. However, a greater absorption rate measured for specimens immersed in distilled water resulted in a faster decrease of ILSS values in distilled water than in salt water.