Abstract
Composite structures are currently being used in several industries. During its service time, laminated composite structures might be installed in very aggressive conditions, which affects its response to different loading schemes. In the current paper, composite tubes are subjected to two aggressive environmental condition: seawater and agricultural soil. The time considered for this study is 24 weeks (almost 6 month), where specimens were tested each 8 weeks under axial compression. The results showed degradation in the peak load, as a result of the fiber–matrix debonding triggered during the aging period. On the other hand, the crush force efficiency, the energy absorbed and the specific energy absorbed were improved by aging. The formation of Calcium and Magnesium layer on the surface of the specimens was concluded by SEM and EDX analysis, for the specimens aged in seawater.