Durability of basalt fibers, glass fibers, and their reinforced polymer composites in artificial seawater

Abstract

This study focused on the durability of basalt fibers, glass fibers, basalt‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars, and glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in an artificial seawater. The specimens were immersed in the artificial seawater at 20, 40, and 60°C; the specimen immersed in distilled water at a temperature of 60°C was also used as a reference. The tensile strength of the monofilament basalt fibers and glass fibers immersed in the seawater for 90 days at a temperature of 60°C decreases by 61% and 59% respectively, showing the most significant degradation; the brittleness of the fibers also increases due to the decomposition of their sizing agent. The chloride ions in the seawater are beneficial to enhancing the resistance of the composites to moisture absorption. In addition, the tensile strength retention of the fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is higher than that of the fibers due to the protection by the epoxy resin. The mechanical properties of the FRP bars immersed in the seawater improve after removing their moisture. The mechanical performance of the BFRP bars is inferior to that of the GFRP bars due to their higher water absorption and weak bonding between the basalt fibers and the polymer matrix.

Shear performance degradation of basalt fiber‐reinforced polymer bars in seawater environments: Coupled effects of seawater sea‐sand geopolymer mortar coatings and sustained loading

“…Alternatively, the shear behavior of BFRP bars should show higher strength retention when using BFRP bars with smaller diameters. Thus, previous studies conducted by our group on the durability of 6‐mm‐diameter BFRP bars coated with OPC and SSC under the same immersion conditions were used for comparison here 33,47 . Additionally, an earlier investigation indicated that SSC‐coated BFRP bars exhibited more serious degradation as the coating thickness increased; thus, the TSS retention of BFRP bars with thinner coatings was expected to be greater 15 .…”

“…Thus, previous studies conducted by our group on the durability of 6-mm-diameter BFRP bars coated with OPC and SSC under the same immersion conditions were used for comparison here. 33,47 Additionally, an earlier investigation indicated that SSC-coated BFRP bars exhibited more serious degradation as the coating thickness increased; thus, the TSS retention of BFRP bars with thinner coatings was expected to be greater. 15 Figure 4 shows that regardless of the immersion temperature, the TSS retention of the BFRP bars coated with OPC and SSC at 180 days was already below that of the specimens coated with SSGM.…”

The feasibility of continuous basalt fibre‐reinforced polymer application to composite cross‐arms

“…This phenomenon has also been frequently reported in previous studies. For example, the shear strength of BFRP composite bars (54 MPa) is much lower than that of GFRP composite bars (62 MPa) [31]. The interface between basalt fibre and polypropylene is only 2.53 MPa, lower than the 4.07 MPa of glass fibre [32].…”

Direct measurement and verification of cohesive zone model parameters for basalt/PP rods using the transverse tensile test and virtual double cantilever beam test

“…Jiang et al reported the same tendency regarding BFRP using epoxy matrix. [ 11 ] The research also indicated that the degradation derives from water absorption of the fiber. Consequently, water resistant matrix can utilize the potential of a basalt fiber.…”