Impact Strength of Hybrid Epoxy–Basalt Composites Modified with Mineral and Natural Fillers

Danuta Matykiewicz,Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay,Marwan Suleiman Mousa,Suchart Siengchin,Mateusz Barczewski

doi:10.3390/chemengineering5030056

Danuta Matykiewicz, Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering5030056

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of mineral and natural additives (2.5; 5; 10 wt.%) on the impact strength of epoxy–basalt composites. Three types of filler were used to modify the epoxy matrix: basalt powder (BP), basalt microfiber (BF) and sunflower husk ash (SA). The impact strength and the maximum force were determined for the materials. The results of the conducted research confirm that the addition of a powder fillers to the epoxy matrix of basalt fiber reinforced composites is an effective method of improving their impact characteristic. The introduction of fillers to epoxy resin allowed to improve the impact properties of all tested groups of laminates. Moreover, in all cases, the introduction of the filler increased the maximum force needed to damage the composite sample and their hardness. For the modified materials, an increase in impact strength was recorded, respectively: by 44% for composites with BP, by 7.5% for composites with BF and by 2.5% for composites with SA.

Highlights

Metal, ceramics and plastic are commonly used construction materials depending on particular needs
Among the tested composites modified with filler, the group of composites with sunflower husk ash the most homogeneous properties, i.e., the average impact strength of 60
The results of the conducted research confirm that the introduction of a powder additive to the epoxy matrix of basalt fiber-reinforced composites is an effective method of improving their impact properties

Summary

Introduction

Ceramics and plastic are commonly used construction materials depending on particular needs. Composites reinforced with fibers have become very common in recent years, and have broadly replaced popular metal and polymer materials in many industries [1,2]. They are used as construction elements in planes, cars, boats and as finishing ingredients in building. Depending on the type of fiber used, such as natural fiber, mineral fiber and synthetic fiber, these composites are characterized by high mechanical strength and favorable thermal properties. The use of the potential of reinforcing fibers strictly depends on the choice of polymer and the proper arrangement of all components in the layered material [5]

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