Time-Temperature-Water Content equivalence on dynamic mechanical response of Polyamide 6,6

Abstract : Reinforced thermoplastics, and especially short glass fiber reinforced polyamides, due to their good stiffness and impact resistance, have been chosen as an alternative solution to metals in automotive or aeronautic applications. More precisely, those kinds of materials used near engine parts of automotives can reduce significantly weight, and so reduce CO2 gas emission. Reinforced thermoplastic automotive components are submitted to cyclic mechanical loadings in variable environmental conditions in terms of temperature and humidity. Both temperature and water content are known to degrade mechanical properties of the polyamide matrix[1]. To insure a confident mechanical design, the sensitivity of the mechanical response under these conditions have to be taken into account.