Abstract
In this work, an electroless method of coating copper on the basalt short fibers using copper sulphate solution is described. In order to avoid any interfacial reactions in the basalt fiber reinforced metal matrix composites, the basalt fibers were coated with copper. The effects of the time of sensitization, activation, metallization, PdCl2 concentration, pH and temperature bath on the extent of copper coating on basalt fiber are reported. The conditions used for electroless coating were optimized to obtain a uniform and continuous layer of copper. Using this method, it is possible to deposit up to about 25 wt% copper on the basalt fiber. The resultant composite fiber was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) during and after the coating process. The effects of the thickness of copper coating on surface condition and also the tensile strength of the basalt fibers have been investigated. The study of surface condition of the coated basalt fibers by SEM showed that the copper coating at the thickness of about 0.2 μm had the best continuity on the basalt fibers. The results of tensile tests of basalt fibers coated with different thickness of copper showed that increasing the thickness of coating layer decreased the overall strength of fibers.
Highlights
Fiber reinforced metal matrix composites developed in the last few decades are leading to remarkable improvements in industries, due to its excellent mechanical and chemical properties and high cost performance [1]
Attention has been devoted to Basalt Fibers (BF), a sustainable alternative for fiber reinforcement, whose primary advantage consists of its low cost, good resistance to acids and solvents, good thermal stability, higher modulus, and strength and better electrical insulating properties [3]
The various factors affecting the extent of copper coating on basalt fiber are described below
Summary
Fiber reinforced metal matrix composites developed in the last few decades are leading to remarkable improvements in industries, due to its excellent mechanical and chemical properties and high cost performance [1]. Attention has been devoted to Basalt Fibers (BF), a sustainable alternative for fiber reinforcement, whose primary advantage consists of its low cost, good resistance to acids and solvents, good thermal stability, higher modulus, and strength and better electrical insulating properties [3]. Basalt fiber is a natural material which is produced from igneous rock called basalt and gives a great strength relative to weight [4]. Various researchers have shown that basalt fiber has versatile material properties [5]-[7]
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