Investigation of basalt fibre reinforced epoxy composites using star-like polymers
Topic(s) : Material and Structural Behavior - Simulation & Testing
Co-authors :
Rochele PINTO (LITHUANIA), Tatjana GLASKOVA-KUZMINA (LATVIA), Vladimir SPACEK , Marie NOVAKOVA , Daiva ZELENIAKIENE (LITHUANIA)Abstract :
Basalt fibres and its their properties have been increasingly researched as industries are now focusing on the development of sustainable composites. Basalt fibres are produced with lower emissions and are cheaper than their counterparts. While offering attractive incentives to switch from conventional composites used in the industry, such as glass or carbon fibre, basalt fibres lack good interfacial adhesion with matrix. Interfacial adhesion between matrix and fibre is crucial for efficient stress transfer and high mechanical properties. Star-like polymers have have shown to increase adhesion by bridging carbon fibre plies in the laminate [1], improving mechanical properties by adding low weight percentages.
In this study, star-like polymers, (poly(n-butyl methacrylate)-(glycidyl methacrylate) block copolymer, were used as additives in a biobased epoxy matrix reinforced with basalt fibre to improve mechanical properties. SR Greenpoxy 33 and LITE 2401 sourced from biobased carbons and cashew nut shell liquid were mixed to create a matrix of bio content of ~33%. The solid star-like polymer was present in a solution of 51% tetrahydrofuran and mixed with the resin over 24 hours at 80C to create a masterbatch of 10 wt. %. The masterbatch was diluted to create samples of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 wt.% to compare with neat matrix. Twill woven basalt fabric was used to reinforce the modified matrix and subsequent test were performed on the laminates.
Dynamic mechanical analysis was implemented to study the effect of filler content on the epoxy's viscoelastic properties. For the developed basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) laminates, tensile, flexural, low-velocity impact absorption and mode I interlaminar fracture toughness tests were performed to study the effect of star-like polymers on the mechanical properties. The results were compared to conventional glass and carbon fibre composites. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the fibre content ratio, which is imperative to create a viable comparison between the properties of the composites. It was seen that the star-like polymer modified BFRP showed comparative results to the conventional composites. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to check the interlaminar damage created post-impact.
Acknowledgements
This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No S-MIP-23-134.
In this study, star-like polymers, (poly(n-butyl methacrylate)-(glycidyl methacrylate) block copolymer, were used as additives in a biobased epoxy matrix reinforced with basalt fibre to improve mechanical properties. SR Greenpoxy 33 and LITE 2401 sourced from biobased carbons and cashew nut shell liquid were mixed to create a matrix of bio content of ~33%. The solid star-like polymer was present in a solution of 51% tetrahydrofuran and mixed with the resin over 24 hours at 80C to create a masterbatch of 10 wt. %. The masterbatch was diluted to create samples of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 wt.% to compare with neat matrix. Twill woven basalt fabric was used to reinforce the modified matrix and subsequent test were performed on the laminates.
Dynamic mechanical analysis was implemented to study the effect of filler content on the epoxy's viscoelastic properties. For the developed basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) laminates, tensile, flexural, low-velocity impact absorption and mode I interlaminar fracture toughness tests were performed to study the effect of star-like polymers on the mechanical properties. The results were compared to conventional glass and carbon fibre composites. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the fibre content ratio, which is imperative to create a viable comparison between the properties of the composites. It was seen that the star-like polymer modified BFRP showed comparative results to the conventional composites. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to check the interlaminar damage created post-impact.
Acknowledgements
This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No S-MIP-23-134.