On the mechanical characterizations of unidirectional basalt fiber/epoxy laminated composites with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes–enhanced matrix

Abstract

This study represents the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes at various contents with respect to the matrix (0-0.5 wt% at a step of 0.1 wt%) on the mechanical responses of unidirectional basalt fiber/epoxy composites. Toward this end, multi-walled carbon nanotubes were firstly functionalized with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane to improve their dispersion state and interfacial compatibility with the epoxy. Subsequently, unidirectional basalt fiber/epoxy and multiscale 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-multi-walled carbon nanotubes/unidirectional basalt fiber/epoxy composites were prepared. The mechanical properties of the composites were determined by tensile, flexural, and quasi-static compression tests. The compressive strength of the composites was obtained through performing the compression test on the off-axis specimens and extracting their longitudinal compressive strength. Results demonstrated that the highest values in tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength were attained at 0.4 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes with 12%, 38%, 41% increase, respectively, compared to the basalt fiber/epoxy composite. Potential mechanisms behind these were implied. Furthermore, compressive modulus and strength of the specimens were obtained theoretically using an Euler-Bernoulli beam-based approach. Knowing the flexural strength as well as the tensile and flexural moduli from the experimental testing, compressive modulus and strength were obtained and the results were compared to those obtained experimentally. The theoretical and experimental results confirmed that there was a good agreement between them.

Property improvement of a fibrous composite using functionalized carbon nanofibers

“…The spectrum of the CNF (Figure A) shows a broad band at 3447 cm −1 due to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl (OH − ) groups on the surface of CNF . The appearance of peaks at 1449 cm −1 and 1646 cm −1 is also indicative of CO and CC bonds, respectively . The band at 1094 cm −1 is attributed to the CO stretch .…”

“…Among various types of reinforcing fibers, basalt fiber (BF), as a natural fiber, is renowned for its promising features like exceptional thermal properties, high chemical stability, high mechanical properties, and good sound insulation. A number of reports on different properties of basalt fiber‐reinforced polymers are available in the literature . Conversely, CNF is characterized by very high aspect ratio and exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics.…”

The Effect of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Powder Addition on the Thermomechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Basalt Fiber

“…Natural graphite flakes used as a filler in the production of an epoxy composite reinforced with basalt fibers improved their mechanical properties, as described in the paper [23]. Khosravi et al described the influence of the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to the epoxy matrix on the mechanical properties of unidirectional basalt fiber/epoxy composites [24]. While Kim et al used MWCNT-coated basalt fibers as a reinforcement for epoxy resin [25], these composites showed highly improved flexural behaviors compared to the reference material.…”

Modeling of Compressive Strength for Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Composites with Nanoparticle Modified Epoxy Matrix

“…In recent years, various nano-fillers, including spherical nanoparticles [10,11], nano-clay [12], graphite nanoplatelets [13], and carbon nanotubes [14] have been incorporated into matrices to fabricate multiscale phase reinforced composites with an improved compressive performance. The results demonstrate that the matrix-tuning by nano-fillers works well for the unidirectional composites based on carbon fibers [13], glass fibers [10,11,12], and basalt fibers [14]. For instance, Sun and his colleagues introduced silica nanoparticles (15 wt.%) [10] and nanoclay (8 wt.%) [12] into epoxy matrices of glass fiber reinforced composites, which led to up to 62% and 36% increases in the compressive strength of the two kinds of composites, respectively.…”

“…The reinforcing effect of carbon nanotubes with a high aspect ratio seems to be more significant. The addition of 0.4 wt.% multi-walled carbon nanaotubes into epoxy matrix contributes to a 41% increase in the compressive strength of basalt fiber reinforced composites [14].…”