This study focuses on the influence of prolonged ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the mechanical properties and surface microstructure of glass fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRPs) and basalt fiber-reinforced plastics (BFRPs), which are widely used in construction and transport infrastructure. The relevance of the research lies in the need to improve the reliability of composite materials under extended exposure to harsh climatic conditions. Experimental tests were conducted in a laboratory UV chamber over 2000 h, simulating accelerated weathering. Mechanical properties were evaluated using three-point bending, while surface conditions were assessed via profilometry and microscopy. It was shown that GFRPs exhibit a significant reduction in flexural strength—down to 59–64% of their original value—accompanied by increased surface roughness and microdefect depth. The degradation mechanism of GFRPs is attributed to the photochemical breakdown of the polymer matrix, involving free radical generation, bond scission, and oxidative processes. To verify these mechanisms, FTIR spectroscopy was employed, which enabled the identification of structural changes in the polymer phase and the detection of mass loss associated with matrix decomposition. In contrast, BFRP retained up to 95% of their initial strength, demonstrating high resistance to UV-induced aging. This is attributed to the shielding effect of basalt fibers and their ability to retain moisture in microcavities, which slows the progress of photo-destructive processes. Comparison with results from natural exposure tests under extreme climatic conditions (Yakutsk) confirmed the reliability of the accelerated aging model used in the laboratory.

For the first time, the possibility of penetration of mold fungi mycelium and spore-forming bacteria into the structure of basalt fiber reinforced plastic rebars has been shown in laboratory and field experiments. Biological contamination at the “fiber-binding” border reveals areas of swelling and penetration of mold fungi mycelium and bacterial spore cells into the binder component. After the exposure of samples at extremely low temperatures, strains of mold fungi of the genus Aspergillus were also isolated from the surface of the rebars. Additionally, spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus immobilized for samples from two years ago. This indicates the high viability of immobilized strains in cold climates. Aboriginal microflora isolated by the enrichment culture technique from the samples was represented by: actinobacteria of the genera Nocardia and Streptomyces; yeast of the genus Rhodotorula; and mold fungi of the genus Penicillium. It was shown that the enrichment culture technique is a highly informative method of diagnosing the bio-infection of polymer composite materials during their operation in extremely low temperatures. The metabolic activity of the cells of cryophilic microorganisms isolated from experimental samples of basalt fiber reinforced plastic rebars was associated with the features of the enzymes and fatty acid composition of the lipid bilayer of cell membranes. In the case of temperature conditions when conventional (mesophilic) microorganisms stop developing vegetative cells, the process of transition of the lipid bilayer of cell membranes into a gel-like state was activated. This transition of the lipid bilayer to a gel-like state allowed the prevention of crystallization and death of the microbial cell when the ambient temperature dropped to negative values and as a result, after thawing, growth resumed and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms was restored. Studies have been carried out on the effect of biodepletion on the elastic strength characteristics, porosity and monolithicity of these materials, while at the same time, after a two year exposure, the strength preservation coefficient was k = 0.82 and the porosity increased by more than two times. The results show that the selected strains affect the properties of polymeric materials in cold climates in relation to the organic components in the structure of polymer composites.

The present study outlines the synthesis of carbon that include graphene flakes. The production process employed rapid Joule heating of a mixture consisting of finely dispersed polypropylene powder and carbon black in a 1:1 ratio. An experimental model of the installation was developed and constructed, based on a capacitor bank with a total capacitance of 32 mF and an inductor with a nominal value of 24 mH for production purposes. A solution was prepared that included a colloidal dispersion of epoxy resins, an amine hardener in a mixture of deionized water and ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 4:0.6:10, along with 1 wt. % of the resulting carbon powder and carbon black, to be used as an impregnating compound for glass fibers. The estimated synthesis temperature reached up to 2200 °C, with a duration of approximately 32 ms. Studies of Raman spectra and optical density in the UV range indicate that the synthesized carbon powders contain graphene flakes with lateral dimensions of up to 13 nm. The results of elemental analysis reveal a significant increase in the carbon atom content in the impregnated fiber compared to the original glass fiber. Electrical measurements of the temperature dependence of the current-voltage (C-V) characteristics demonstrated the presence of electrical conductivity at low temperatures, corresponding to a resistance of up to 8 MΩ/sq. In the future, electrical conductivity may be enhanced by increasing the discharge power. The developed configuration for fast Joule heating has the potential to be integrated into the field of efficient recycling of plastic waste. The resulting carbon powders can serve as modifying additives for glass fiber used in the production of fiberglass concretes.

The article is a review that addresses the problem of insufficient scientific basis for predicting the durability of polymer composite materials (PCM) during long-term use. Special attention is given to the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and mechanical loads on PCM degradation. The text presents research findings related to polymer degradation under UV radiation, the impact of UV exposure on the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites, and the mechanisms of yellowing in thin films of epoxy and vinyl ester resins.

This article focuses on the moister sorption by laminated composites. Moisture sorption was carried out on layered polymer composite materials consisting of layers of basalt fabric and fiberglass based on epoxy-diane resin. It is shown that the process of moisture absorption for glass fiber-reinforced polymers is more intense and with a higher concentration of moisture in comparison with basalt fiber-reinforced polymer. Curves of the sorption processes of moisture absorption and water absorption are obtained. The diffusion coefficients for the corresponding processes are calculated. Alteration in the surface structure of polymer composite materials were recorded using surface topography and REM images before and after exposure in the climate of Yakutsk (Russia).