Basalt fibre-reinforced PA1012 composites: Morphology, mechanical properties, crystallization behaviours, structure and water contact angle

Abstract

The influences of basalt fibre on morphology, mechanical properties, structure, contact angle, melting and crystallization behaviours of polyamide 1012 were studied using scanning electron microscopy, material testing machine, X-ray diffractometer, differential scanning calorimeters and static contact angle measuring instrument. It was found that interface properties between basalt fibre and polyamide 1012 were improved effectively by silane coupling agent. Also, the tensile and flexural strength of treated basalt fibre-reinforced composites were found to be higher than untreated ones at the same fibre content. The best tensile and flexural strength of polyamide 1012/treated basalt fibre composites with 30 wt% basalt fibre were determined to be 84.4 and 120 MPa. Although basalt fibre did not change polyamide 1012 crystal structure, it altered the melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of polyamide 1012. In addition, by virtue of the changes in crystallization temperature, the nucleation ability of polyamide 1012 in composites was confirmed to be enhanced. The strong interaction between epoxy groups of silane coupling agent and amide groups of polyamide 1012 elevates the hydrophobic properties of composites. The results from nonisothermal crystallization kinetics testified that crystallization ability of polyamide 1012 in composite containing 30 wt% basalt fibre was strengthened, compared with neat polyamide 1012.