Enhancing Strength and Sustainability: Evaluating Glass and Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Biopolyamide as Alternatives for Petroleum-Based Polyamide Composite

Abstract

This study aims to analyze strength properties and low-cycle dynamic tests of composite materials modified with glass and basalt fibers. Biopolyamide 4.10 was used as the matrix, and the fiber contents were 15, 30, and 50% by weight. Static tensile tests, impact tests, and determination of mechanical hysteresis loops were carried out as strength tests. The length of the fibers in the produced composites and their processing properties were determined. The composite materials were compared with commercially available glass fiber-reinforced composites with 30 and 50% fiber contents. The results showed that such composites can successfully replace composite materials based on petroleum-based polymeric materials, providing high strength properties and reducing the negative environmental impact by using renewable sources. Composites with 30% basalt fiber composition were characterized by higher tensile strength by about 60% compared to commercially available composites with 30% glass fiber composition and an almost doubly increased Young’s modulus. Increasing the content of basalt fibers to 50% results in a further increase in strength properties. Despite the lower tensile strength compared to polyamide 6 with 50% glass fiber content, basalt fibers provided an approximately 10% higher modulus of elasticity.

PA 10.10 and PA 6 composites with glass or basalt fibre: mechanical properties in dry and wet state

“…The use of different compounding methods for basalt fiber composites, although necessary, was associated with undesirable effects. As described in the scientific literature, the average fiber length in the compound is significantly reduced with increasing dwell time in the extruder [21].…”

“…Bednarowski et al investigated mechanical properties of composites with basalt and glass fibers [21]. Although the research concerned partially biobased PA 4.10 and not PA 10.10, the results proved the usefulness of basalt fibers as a replacement for glass fibers in PA composites.…”

“…However, it does not require the introduction of additives or ingredients harmful to health and the environment, such as boron and fluorine oxides, present in most E-glass fibers [22]. While glass fibers are an obvious choice to reinforce PAs, basalt fibers have proven to be an alternative of added value [20][21][22][23]. In this study chopped glass or basalt fibers of similar nominal diameter were introduced into PA matrices in an amount of 15, 30 and 45 wt%.…”

Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites Modified with Powdered Metallic Fillers

“…A critical review of literature suggests that glass fiber reinforcements provide good stiffness and high tensile strength 6 . Few studies also reported that Epoxy polymer matrix provides good stiffness, high strength and good corrosion resistance 7,8 .…”