Effects of thermal–oxidative aging on the mechanical properties of open-hole T800 carbon fiber/high-temperature epoxy composites

T800 carbon fiber/high-temperature epoxy resin composites with holes were subjected to thermal–oxidative aging, and the effects of different aging temperatures and times on the composite properties were investigated. The mass loss, surface topography, open-hole tensile performance, fracture morphologies, dynamic mechanical properties, and infrared spectra were analyzed. The results showed that chemical aging did not occur with thermal–oxidative aging at 70°C and 130°C. However, chemical aging occurred at 190°C. At 70°C, 130°C, and 190°C, all samples showed a slight increase followed by a slight decrease and stabilization in the open-hole tensile strength. The open-hole tensile strength was maximized after 240 h aging at different temperatures; the open-hole tensile strength after 1920 h aging exceeded that of the unaged samples. All composites experienced through-hole failure. With aging, the glass transition temperature (T g) was gradually increased and then decreased. After 960 h aging at different temperatures, T g was maximized.