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

Abstract

This 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.