Basalt Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Research Articles

A comparative study of static and fatigue performance of glass and basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites

AbstractThis work compares the tensile and fatigue behavior of unidirectional glass fiber/epoxy (GFRPs) and basalt fiber/epoxy (BFRPs) composites manufactured using vacuum‐assisted resin infusion molding (VARIM). The tensile and fatigue tests are performed, and results show that both GFRPs and BFRPs have very similar tensile behavior, whereas BFRPs perform better than the GFRPs in terms of fatigue life and degradation of properties, showing about 75 MPa more fatigue limit. The S–N curve shows that BFRPs resist fatigue failure and stiffness degradation due to their better interfacial adhesion. Fractographic observations reveal fatigue failure mechanisms of both BFRPs and GFRPs. From the regression analysis performed, an S–N curve was fitted with a model available in the literature, and regression parameters were calculated. Dynamic mechanical analysis of both BFRPs and GFRPs was performed to evaluate parameters like glass transition temperature, storage modulus, and loss modulus. From the findings of this research, BFRPs may be recommended as a suitable alternative to GFRPs.Highlights This article compares the tension–tension fatigue properties of unidirectional GFRPs and BFRPs. From the research work, the authors found that BFRPs perform better than GFRPs under fatigue loading. The stiffness degradation behavior of GFRPs and BFRPs are studied and compared. Scanning electron micrographs of fractured samples are used to observe fatigue failure mechanisms. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed to determine the storage modulus, loss modulus, glass transition temperature, and damping coefficient (tanδ) for both composites.

Low velocity impact behavior of twill basalt/epoxy composites modified by graphene nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are considered as feasible strengthening agent which strengthen different types of polymeric materials with minor reduction in the density of composites. In this study, 0.1 and 0.5 wt. % Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) are added to the matrix of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites (BECs) and the effects of such addition on low velocity impact behavior are investigated. In this regard, the epoxy matrix is reinforced in macro scale by basalt fibers weaved together in 2/2 Twill pattern. Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) method is used to fabricate the pure and multi-scale BECs. The profile energy method is also used to evaluate the penetration and perforation threshold of fabricated pure and multi-scale BEC specimens. The force versus time and deflection, energy and deflection versus time curves are plotted and the key parameters of low velocity impact test including maximum force, energy and deflection are compared. According to the results, introducing of GNP nanoparticles in the matrix of BECs improves the low velocity impact behavior of these composites by increasing the contact force and decreasing the absorbed energy in rebounding state. Finally, based on the experiments, the 0.5 wt.% BEC has the best impact performance by applying 15.08 kN impact force against the applied forces of 13.78 kN and 11.208 kN for 0.1 wt.% and pure BECs.

Role of dry ozonization of basalt fibers on interfacial properties and fracture toughness of epoxy matrix composites

Abstract The mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (BFRPs) are significantly dependent on the interfacial adhesion between basalt fibers (BFs) and the epoxy matrix. In this study, we proposed a simple and efficient method for deep and stable penetration of BFs into the epoxy matrix through dry-ozone treatments. To confirm the efficiency of the proposed method, BFRPs were fabricated using two types of composites: untreated BFs and dry-ozonized BFs in varying amounts, and the optimum amount of BFs for all the composites fabricated in this work was 60 wt%. With the addition of this amount of dry-ozonized BFs, the interlaminar shear strength and fracture toughness of the composites were enhanced by 21.2 and 23.2%, respectively, as compared with untreated BFs. The related reinforcing mechanisms were also analyzed, and the enhanced interfacial adhesion was mainly attributed to the mechanical interlocking effect. This approach shows that the dry-ozone treatment of BFs is a simple and efficient method for the preparation of BFRPs with excellent interfacial adhesion, which can be a potential application in the auto parts industry.

Study the effect of fiber orientation on mechanical properties of bidirectional basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The mechanical behaviors and tensile fracture surface morphology of basalt bidirectional mat fiber based epoxy composites were investigated in the present experimental work. Composites with varying fiber orientation angles such as 45°, 60° and 90° laminated using hand layup techniques. Mechanical behaviors like as tensile strength and tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus, impact strength (charpy & izod) as well as micro hardness behaviors investigated experimentally. The result showed that maximum mechanical properties obtained in 90° fiber orientation composite as compared to other developed composites.

Effect of filler percentage on physical and mechanical characteristics of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy based composites

This paper investigates the fly ash content effect on physical and mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The composite samples with different fly ash content (0–15 wt-% in step of 5 wt-%) were prepared by Hand lay-up technique. The effect of fly ash content on the physical (densities and void content) and mechanical (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength) properties of the composites have been analyzed experimentally. Void contents of the composites increased with fly ash percentage and 10 wt-% fly ash filled basalt-epoxy composite shows better mechanical properties than others.

Abrasive wear characteristics of bio-based jatropha oil cake incorporated basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites

In this work, abrasive wear performance of basalt fabric reinforced - epoxy (BTE) composite and jatropha oil cake filled basalt fabric epoxy (JPH) composite have been investigated. The composition analysis of jatropha cake was observed through SEM. The two-body abrasive wear tests of the composites were carried out by using pin on disc machine. The abrasive wear behavior has been performed at dissimilar loads namely 5 N &10 N, and at different abrading distances. Jatropha filled composite shows better abrasive wear performance as compared to BTE composite. The specific wear rate declines with growing load and abrading distances. The wear mechanisms of the abraded specimens have been examined by using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Tensile behavior of woven basalt fiber reinforced composites at high strain rates

Basalt fiber reinforced composites have a great potential to be used for high performance automotive and aeronautical components. Since these components might be subjected to impact loads, studying the behavior of basalt fiber composites at high strain rates is, therefore, important. The aim of this paper is to study the tensile behavior of woven basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites at high strain rates in both warp and fill directions. Experiments were carried out using a split Hopkinson tensile bar facility. During the tests, full-field strain measurements were performed using high speed stereo digital image correlation. Reference quasi-static experiments were also performed. As such, the strain rates covered in this study ranged from 0.0006 s−1 to approx. 150 s−1. Results showed that the woven basalt epoxy composite was strain rate sensitive in both warp and fill directions. An increase in stiffness, Poisson's ratio, ultimate tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain was observed with the increase of strain rate. Post mortem analysis of the fractured specimens using scanning electron microscopy revealed that the failure morphology was independent of the strain rate. Delaminations were present at all strain rates, however, a more homogeneous distribution of delaminations over the gauge section was observed with the increase of strain rate. Compared to conventional composites, the tested woven basalt epoxy composite showed excellent energy absorption capabilities at high strain rates, which can make this material a good candidate for impact resistant components.

Hybrid effects of basalt fibers and basalt powder on thermomechanical properties of epoxy composites

Abstract The influence of basalt powder addition on thermomechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites was investigated in this study. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was carried out in a torsion mode. The mechanical properties were evaluated by means of static tensile test and Charpy impact strength method. The thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analyses in inert and oxidizing atmospheres. Results showed that combining basalt fibers with basalt powder improves stiffness and thermal resistance of the epoxy composites. The new hybrid composites are more resistant to temperature changes than the reference sample as proven by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis.

Evaluation of thermomechanical properties of epoxy–basalt fibre composites modified with zeolite and silsesquioxane

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of zeolite and silsesquioxane (POSS) addition on thermo-mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was conducted with different frequencies at bending mode. The mechanical properties were determined at static tensile test and Charpy impact strength method. The structure of composites was determined by scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability was characterized by thermogravimetric analyses in inert and oxidizing atmospheres. The impact strength and thermal stability of the composites with zeolite and silseqioxane were higher than the reference sample. Thus, these composites can be used as thermally stable materials with high stiffness.

Effect of silane/nano-silica on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The present study explains the role of surface modification of constituent materials on composite material performance. The influence of silane and nano-hybrid coatings on mechanical properties of basalt fibers and composite materials on their base was investigated. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that modification of basalt fiber surface and nano-SiO2 was successfully applied. The surface modification leads to the significant increase in the tensile strength of basalt fibers compared to the non-coated fibers. The tensile strength of silane-treated fibers was established 23% higher than the non-coated fibers, indicating that silane plays a critical role in the strength retention of basalt fibers. Also it was pointed out that silane coupling agents can be used for the preparation of the nano-hybrid coating. Addition of SiO2 nanoparticles into the fiber surface was incorporated to enhance the interfacial bonding of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composite.

Charpy impact response of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy and basalt fiber metal laminate composites: Experimental study

In this article, the effect of adding micro glass powder into basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites on the Charpy impact behavior is investigated by both flatwise and edgewise specimens. Also, the effect of adding micro glass powder at two temperatures is examined on the Charpy impact behavior in order to obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role of micro glass powder in polymer composites. Moreover, the effect of adding metal layers to basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites with various combinations of metals to make basalt fiber metal laminates in Charpy impact test is studied. Finally, it was found that adding micro glass powder increased energy absorption and this effect improved by increasing temperature. Moreover, the superiority of basalt fiber metal laminates in energy absorption as compared to basalt fiber reinforced epoxy is observed. Scanning electron microscopy is used for selective specimens to analyze the nature of fracture surfaces.

Mechanical behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced and basalt fiber metal laminate composites under tensile and bending loads

This article examines the mechanical behavior of Basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy (BFRE) and a new type of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) composed of steel, aluminum, and BFRE named as Basalt fiber metal laminate (BFML) under tensile and bending loads. To study the effect of fillers in epoxy, the micro glass powder (MGP) was only added into the epoxy resin in BFRE composites at various volume fractions. It was found that the MGP had no significant effect on tensile strength, but it raised the stiffness and decreased the failure strain of BFRE. On the other hand, bending strength increased by adding MGP. BFML showed superiority in energy absorption via tensile strength. This FML had flexibility much higher than that of BFRE. Adding MGP or metal layer to basalt-reinforced composites improved the mechanical properties in tensile and bending loads. Selective bending specimens of BFRE are studied by SEM to show the positive role of MGP in raising the bending strength and further analysis of the nature of fracture surfaces. High fragmentation of matrix was obvious.