Failure analysis of basalt bidirectional mat reinforced micro/nano Sic particle filled vinyl ester polymer composites

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are increasingly used in composites industry to propel towards sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Basalt fibers have superior mechanical and thermal properties, but are brittle by nature. However, appropriate filler materials were ingeniously utilized to subdue this impediment. Moreover, optimizing the content and appropriating the combination of micro and nano size filler particle addition has significant effects on the final mechanical properties of the composite. The failure pattern of bidirectional basalt fiber mat (67 wt%) vinyl ester composite with SiC filler of micro and nano size added independently as well as in combination at various proportion ranging from 2 wt% to 10 wt% was analysed using fractographic images. Highest tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, hardness and specific wear rate of 204.33 MPa, 525.33 MPa, 3.55 J/mm, 43.87 VHN and 5 × 10–7 mm3/Nm respectively was obtained for the optimized composite sample. The fractured scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images taken at different stress conditions reveal failure patterns, such as fiber–matrix delamination, matrix cracking, matrix deformation, matrix pores, fiber breakage, etc to correlate with the mechanical strength and wear resistance. The degree of damage is very well associated to the percentage content, size and combination of the filler material in the composite along with the fiber mat.