Influence of Filler Materials on Wettability and Mechanical Properties of Basalt/E-Glass Woven Fabric–Reinforced Composites for Microfluidics

Abstract

This paper presents the development of novel hybrid composites in the presence of filler particles and manufactured using a proposed new fabrication technique. The hybrid composites were fabricated using a basalt and E-glass woven fabric–reinforced epoxy resin matrix combined with graphite powder nanoparticles. Six sets of samples were fabricated using the vacuum-assisted free lamination compression molding technique. After the fabrication, wettability, mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact properties) and moisture properties were evaluated. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the composite samples were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and spectroscopy. The obtained results showed that the use of filler materials in hybrid composites improves the properties of hybrid composites. Basalt/E-glass hybrid composites with 10% graphite material exhibited superior mechanical properties over the other composites, with high-quality, improved adhesion and surface morphology. Thus, novel composites with the combination of exceptional properties may be integrated in the design of flexible electronics and microfluidics devices as a structural layer of the system. High flexibility and good surface tension of the designed composites makes them attractive for using the thermal imprint technique for microfluidics channel design.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Design, Fabrication, and Applications

“…The fabrication of microfluidic devices requires an understanding of material properties and manufacturing techniques that can be used to create structures with desired characteristics. Atmakuri et al [ 4 ] explored the effect of filler materials on the wettability and mechanical properties of basalt/E-glass woven fabric-reinforced composites, which could be used to create microfluidic devices with high mechanical strength and tunable wettability. They found that the incorporation of graphite improves both the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the composites.…”

Tailoring Basalt Fibers and E-Glass Fibers as Reinforcements for Increased Impact Resistance

“…A study by Lapena et al [14] reported that basalt fiber-glass fiber hybridization increased tensile strength by 45% and interlaminar shear strength by 11%. A study by Atmakuri et al [15] on hybridization with basalt, E-glass, and graphite reported that hybrid fillers are better than single fibers. Also, they reported that basalt fibers have higher strength than glass fibers.…”