Some fundamentals on multifactor surface aging mechanisms of different epoxy resin systems

This paper presents investigations on multifactor surface aging of different epoxy resin systems. The main stress factors were liquid contamination and electrical field strength. These stresses were applied via different aging tests, representing on the one hand "soft" and on the other hand "strong" surface stresses. The soft stresses are generated in so-called "inverse" climatic chambers leading to continuous condensation on the surface of the test specimen, while the strong stresses are generated in inclined plane tests. The test results obtained from different materials enable a better understanding of the fundamental surface aging mechanisms and the most decisive parameters of influence, depending on the amount of the surface stress severity.