Influence of Fiber Coating and Polymer Modification on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Bast/Basalt Reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Natural fibers, such as kenaf, hemp, and flax, also known as bast fibers, offer several benefits such as low density, carbon dioxide neutrality, and less dependence on petroleum sources. Their function as reinforcement in polymer composites offers a great potential to replace a segment of the glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites, especially in automotive components. Despite their promising benefits, they cannot meet the structural and durability demands of automobile parts because of their poor mechanical properties compared to glass fibers. The focus of this research work was the improvement of the mechanical property profile of the bast fiber reinforced polypropylene composites by hybridization with natural high-performance basalt fibers and the influence of basalt fibers coating and polymer modification at the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. The specific tensile strength of the composite with polymer tailored coating was 39% and the flexural strength was 44% higher than the composite with epoxy-based basalt fibers. The mechanical performance was even better when the bast/basalt hybridization was done in maleic anhydride modified polymer. This led to the conclusion that basalt fibers sizing and polymer modification are the deciding factors in defining the optimal mechanical performance of the composites by influencing the fiber-matrix interaction. The composites were analyzed for their mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The comparison of bast/basalt hybrid composite with bast/glass fibers hybrid composite showed a 32% higher specific flexural and tensile strength of the basalt hybrid composite, supporting the concept of basalt fibers as a natural alternative of the glass fibers.

Basalt/Glass Fiber Polypropylene Hybrid Composites: Mechanical Properties at Different Temperatures and under Cyclic Loading and Micromechanical Modelling

“…In contrast to the actual article, the authors used a compression molding manufacturing method of the specimens. Saleem et al [ 22 ] studied the effect of the fiber coating of basalt fiber hybrid composites on mechanical properties. As a second reinforcement, kenaf and flax, as bast fibers were used in the research.…”

Hybrid Polymer Composites of Bio-Based Bast Fibers with Glass, Carbon and Basalt Fibers for Automotive Applications—A Review

“…The needled fiber mats were compression molded and the laminates were characterized for their mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. [94,95] studied the hybrid composites of bast and basalt fibers in polyester-based thermoset and thermoplastic polypropylene composites. They used flax, kenaf, hemp, and a mixture of flax and kenaf as the bast fibers.…”

“…Schematic representation of composite manufacture by carding, needle punching, and subsequent compression molding (a) needled fiber mat, (b) laminate after hot pressing (modified illustration[84,94,95]). …”

Editorial for the Special Issue on Advanced Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

“…To promote sustainable composite materials, Saleem et al [13] studied natural fibers as a reinforcement in polymer composites. In this study, efforts were made to improve the structural integrity of bast (flax + kenaf) and basalt hybrid FRP composites.…”

“…In this study, efforts were made to improve the structural integrity of bast (flax + kenaf) and basalt hybrid FRP composites. For the polypropylene matrix, the tensile strength and flexural strength of the composite with tailored coating was increased by 39% and 44%, respectively, when compared to epoxybased basalt composites [13]. In a separate study, Fehri et al conducted experimental and simulation studies on the damage process in flax fiber-reinforced polymer composites under buckling load [14].…”