Seawater aging effect on fiber-reinforced polymer composites: Mechanical properties, aging mechanism, and life prediction

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are widely used in marine engineering fields, such as coastal construction, offshore bridges, submarines, and warships, owing to their light weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. However, owing to the harsh marine environment, FRP composites used in the ocean are inevitably affected by seawater aging. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the seawater aging properties of FRP composites. In this study, the seawater aging mechanism of FRP composites is summarized, and the influence factors (matrix type, fiber type, immersion temperature, loading mode, and aging method) of seawater aging on the mechanical properties of FRP composites are further reviewed in detail. Based on this, the method for improving the seawater resistance of FRP composites is summarized. In addition, the research schemes of accelerated aging of FRP composites and commonly used life prediction models are summarized, and the methods and suggestions for improving the accuracy of life prediction are further discussed.