Mechanical Properties of Basalt / Chopped E-Glass Fiber and Graphite Powder Reinforced Hybrid Composites

In the current investigation an effort has put to study the effect of E-glass chopped mat and graphite powder in variations of 5g, 10g, and 15g on the tensile and flexural behavior of a basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy composite laminate reinforced with E-Glass fiber and Graphite powder. Hand layup technique has been used for the fabrication of the composites. Tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests were done on the Basalt/E-glass/Graphite epoxy composite in accordance with ASTM standards. The results indicate significant improvement in tensile strength, impact strength and hardness when E-glass was incorporated in the basalt/epoxy composite. However, basalt/E-glass/10% graphite epoxy composite was shown to have a greater flexural strength. An excellent dispersion of the reinforcements in the polymeric matrix, which elevated surface area for solid interfacial contact and effective load transmission, could possibly be accountable for the improved performance of the laminates that were successfully developed.


Introduction
A composite material comprises anything that is produced by combining particles/fibers with a matrix material to form a new material with qualities that differ from the properties of the original material.Composite materials are a promising choice for engineers, material analysts hence; they are being used for great deal of applications.These materials have transformed into the choice of standard fundamental materials.Composites are proved to have phenomenal mechanical properties, low weight, insignificantly expensive and significantly versatile.Basalt fiber is a high-tech fiber that is green, healthful, and ecologically beneficial.Strengthening the investigation and study of the characteristics of basalt fiber and its composite materials is important from both a theoretical and a strategic standpoint.According to published research, basalt fiber outperforms glass, carbon, and aramid fibers in terms of mechanical strength, acid-alkali resistance, electrical performance, high wave permeability, and sound insulation.Seghini et al [1] focused on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber epoxy composites and the association between the impacts of business coupling specialist heated deestimating treatment and plasma polymerization measure on the fiber Matrix interfacial strength.The surface morphology of the various basalt strands was depicted by FE-SEM perceptions and substance organizations for shaping FT-IR examination.Plasma polymerization results in a homogenous tetra-IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2765/1/012002 2 vinyl-silane (PP-TVS) coating on the surface of basalt filaments, which expands in fiber/Matrix attachment.The AFM has handled the surface discomfort of both treated and untreated basalt.
Maria et al [2] studied the effect of discarded basalt powder on inflexible polyurethane froths.It was revealed that basalt powder causes an increase in the reactivity movement of the polyurethane framework during the frothing cycle, which was also confirmed by the dielectric polarization transforms.Froths being a successful method of minimizing waste administration.The waste filler in basalt powder types catalyzes the shaping system of the polyurethane framework.Danuta et al [3] investigated the mechanical properties of basalt powder epoxy composite.The epoxy matrix slows the rate of degradation of basalt powder, which increases the solidity and hardness of the composite and improves the thermo mechanical properties of the composite with the increase in basalt powder content.
Chen et al [4] conducted testing on basalt fiber supported polymer to know the effect of stacking on mechanical properties.It is discovered that composites become more elastic when strain rate increases, especially when the strain rate is greater than 120 S-1.The quasi-static rigidity of a polymer made of basalt fibers is around 1642.2 MPa, and with a strain rate of 259 S-1, it rises to 3383.3 MPa.The flexible modulus rises from 77.9 GPa to 111.7 GPa with a 43.4 percent increase as the strain rate reaches 259 per second.The mechanical properties of basalt fiber and Eglass fiber built-up plastics made utilizing a vacuum pack process were examined by Lopresto et al [5].Dorigato et al [6] focused on the impact of Fatigue Obstruction of Basalt Fibers Supported Covers.Hand layup is employed to install the epoxy overlays, which have Carbon, basalt, and Eglass adjustable weaving textures.According to the findings, basalt fiber composites have a greater flexible modulus than matching glass fiber covers, but their rigidity is similar to that of comparing carbon strand covers.Basalt Fiber overlays outperformed glass Fiber covers in terms of firmness persistence at low exhaustion stacks and damping properties, in accordance to the investigation on wear behavior.It was contended that basalt Fiber possessed the potential to replace glass strands in the development of elementary composites that had outstanding mechanical characteristics with interesting energy dissipation capabilities.Characterization of Glass/Vinyl Ester, Basalt/Vinyl Ester, and Basalt/Epoxy Fiber Reinforced Polymer were the main topics of BrahimBenmokrane et al's study [7].
Drilling Analysis on Basalt/Sisal Reinforced Polymer Composites was studied by Sakthivel et al. [8].Using an HSS drill, ANOVA and regression models were applied to composites made of sisal and basalt.The "Minitab 17" code is then used to prepare the data that was collected by penetration.The effect of heat treatment on the tensile properties of basalt fibers was the primary objective of Sabet et al's study [9].Authors studied about the rigidity of basalt filaments at room temperature as well as after being exposed to 300°C, 350°C, 400°C, 450°C and 500°C with respect to time.The results demonstrate the optimal conditions for preparing basalt filaments and composites.Alexander et al [10] investigated the combined effects of heat and microwave curing on the mechanical characteristics and surface hardness of basalt/epoxy composites.The results reveal that the surface suits are further developed in tiny wave restored composites as a result of the miniature wave post relieving treatment.In addition to the above, the strength and solidity properties are also improved.The thermo mechanical characteristics of fly ash and glass fiberreinforced epoxy resin composites have been described by Baheti et al. [11].
The composite was created by hand-laying it up.Fabric and epoxy glue have been incorporated 50:50.The quantities of dry fly ash used were 1, 3, 5, and 10%.When the fly ashes were included in the right weight proportion, the amount of epoxy resin was altered as necessary.The constructed samples were put through tensile testing in accordance with ASTM D638, flexural testing in accordance with ASTM D790, Charpy impact testing in accordance with ASTM D256, a test for resistance to knife penetration, DMA, and fracture surface analysis.In a distinct research, Srivastava and Pawar (2006) developed composites via combining epoxy resin with fly ash particles in a 4:1 ratio with 105 m-sized fly ash.In addition, fatigue strength-weight ratios and moreover tolerance to fatigue damage of many composite laminates are remarkable.
In the current investigation an effort has been made to investigate the effect of E-glass fiber and graphite powder which has been incorporated in variations of 5g, 10g, and 15g on the tensile and flexural characteristics of the basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composite laminas produced through the hand layup technique.

Materials Used
In the current investigation, LY556 type epoxy resin and HY-951 hardener were employed for producing composite elements.Basalt, E-glass, and graphite powders are the reinforcing materials used in the present investigation.These are mixed in various amounts and combinations.

Epoxy Resin
Epoxy is a thermoset polymer principally used in aerospace and aircraft applications.Epoxy LY556 is employed as the lattice material in the current investigation for producing half-and-half fiber epoxy composites.Since epoxy LY556 is a widely utilized material with excellent mechanical properties, low shrinkage, easy creation, amazing substance and dampness obstruction, and high wet capacity, it was chosen.Epoxy pitches are the thermoset plastic most frequently utilized in polymer lattice composites.Epoxy gums are a type of thermoset plastic substance that does not emit reaction products when subjected to curing, resulting in little cure shrinkage.They also have excellent adhesion to a variety of materials, excellent synthetic and environmental obstructive qualities, and excellent protective properties.

Basalt
Basalt fiber, a bio-derived mineral fiber from volcanic rocks, offers numerous of benefits, notably strong mechanical and chemical resistance [12][13][14][15][16][17].In accordance with Table 1, basalt fiber demonstrates tensile attributes that are analogous to those of glass fibers and possess a greater maximum service temperature than carbon and glass fibers.This makes basalt fiber composites an efficient and ecologically conscious alternative for glass fiber composites in structural applications.Furthermore, it has a better maximum service temperature as well as superior chemical resistance, making it ideal to use in challenging regions like chemical storage tanks or composite pipes for the oil and gas sectors [13].Basalt fiber, which originates from volcanic rocks and has mechanical characteristics equivalent to glass fiber, is produced.

E-Glass
Glass fibers are typically employed as reinforcements in polymeric (plastic) matrix composites (PMC).Glass fibers have several advantages, including low cost, great tensile strength, chemical resistance, and good insulating characteristics.E-glass, high-strength (HS)-glass, and corrosionresistant (CR)-glass are the three most prevalent forms of glass fibers.The first significant synthetic composite reinforcement, E-glass fibers (thus the "E" in its name), was first created for electrical insulation purposes.The sizes of the filaments range from 3 to 20 m.The typical characteristics of Eglass fibers are shown in Table1.When compared to alternative reinforcements, the elastic moduli of e-glass fibers are comparably low.Additionally, creep and creep (stress) rupture are risks for E-glass fibers.

Graphite
Graphite is a carbon allotrope.Graphite is a particularly stable crystalline form of carbon found in nature.Graphite is a black substance.It exhibits the shine of metals and is opaque.The carbon atoms in graphite form a hexagon shape, and the hexagons are stacked in layers.It might be crystalline, amorphous, lumpy, or graphite fiber.The graphite powder has a high electrical conductivity.

Basalt-Epoxy resin composite
The procedures in the processing are really basic.According to the data, the ASTMD790M-86 standard test protocol for mechanical characteristics of fiber-resin composites is used.To prevent polymer from adhering to the surface of the mold, a release gel is first sprayed on it.At the top and bottom of the mold plate, thin plastic sheets are used to provide a high-quality surface finish for the finished product.On top of a thin plastic layer, long fibers formed of the reinforcement (basalt) are placed down in a straight line after being trimmed to meet the mold's specifications.After that, a prescribed hardener (curing agent) is mixed completely with the liquid thermosetting polymer before being placed on top of transparent.A brush is used to distribute the polymer evenly.A second coating of fiber is then added to the surface of the polymer, followed by another layer of polymer, and finally, this is sealed with a further thin plastic sheet after the air is removed by gently moving the squeezer over the thin plastic sheet.The resulting mold is allowed to dry at room temperature for 24 hours.

E-Glass -Epoxy resin composite
Using the same technique as before, later samples with reinforcements made of basalt and E-Glass fiber are created.Long fiber reinforcement (50 percent basalt and 50 percent e-glass) is cut to the mold size and laid down in a straight line on top of the thin plastic sheet.After that, a prescribed hardener (curing agent) is mixed completely with the liquid thermosetting polymer before being placed on top of transparent.A brush is used to distribute the polymer evenly.A second applying of fiber is then added to the surface of the polymer, followed by another layer of polymer, and finally, this is sealed with a further thin plastic sheet after the air is removed by gently moving the squeezer over the thin plastic sheet.The resulting mold is allowed to dry at room temperature for 24 hours.In this interaction, 100 grams of Epoxy (LY556), which serves as the composite's lattice, is mixed with 8 sheets of 300 GSM E-glass fiber, hacked mate (230/300 mm), and 10 grams of hardener (HY951).

Basalt/E-glass/Graphite Epoxy resin composite
The graphite powder illustrated in Figure 1 is combined with epoxy resin and binder and thoroughly mixed using a stirrer for at least 10 minutes to create the basalt/ E-Glass/ Graphite epoxy composites.
The fly ash and basic plastic need to be combined in the right proportions to achieve the optimum results.Therefore, determining the required amount of graphite is crucial.A variety of samples were created using fly ash in weights ranging from 5 to 15%.By altering the weight percentages of the graphite powders in the basalt/E-glass fiber epoxy resin composite by 5%, 10%, and 15%, samples were created.For tensile testing, the samples were created according to ASTM standards, which call for them to be 165 mm long, 12.5 mm wide, and 4 mm thick.For flexural testing, shapes of 100 mm long, 25 mm wide, and 4 mm thick are constructed.Impact testing uses materials that are 6 mm thick, 12.36 mm wide, and 63.5 mm long.The stepwise manufacturing process used to create the specimens is shown in

Flexural testing of composites
According to ASTM-D790M-86 test standard, a three point bending test is carried out.Specimens of 100 mm long, 25 mm wide, and 4 mm thick are employed for this purpose.The oppression of two identical occurrences is used for flexural testing.The test was run at a strain rate of 0.2 mm/min with the outer rollers distanced by 70 mm.Figure4 shows failed specimens after flexural test.

Impact testing of composites
The charpy v indent test, was performed for testing the impact strength of the fabricated composite.A set of 3 samples were tested in each category and the average results were reported.Figure5 shows the specimens after impact test.

Hardness
ASTM D 2583 test standard specimens are prepared to determine the hardness of the specimens.
Brinnel hardness tester of model GYZJ-934-1 was used for testing.The Colman BarcolImpressor was used for hardness testing in accordance with determinations.The developed composites were cut into specimens of 12.7 x 12.7 x 3 mm with a length, breadth, and thickness respectively.Figure6 shows the tested specimens.

Tensile strength
Table2.shows the summary of tensile strength for various composites performed as per ASTM D638 standard.Figure 7 shows the tensile load Vs. elongation comparison for Basalt, E glass with chopped mat, Basalt with E glass chopped mat, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 5% graphite powder, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 10% graphite powder, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 15% graphite powder composites.It can be observed that the load Vs elongation for B+E and B+E+10% G has shown higher load withstanding capability as compared to other combinations.Pure B and B+E+15% G composites has shown much inferior tensile strength values.Higher elongation values are also observed for B+E and B+E+10% G composites.Pure B and B+E+15% G composites has shown much inferior elongation to failure values.The variation in the tensile strength exhibited by the samples could be attributed for the factors like uniform distribution of fiber and graphite powder in the resin matrix, bonding between fiber and matrix [3].This was further reduced upon the addition of 15% graphite powder.This can be attributed to brittle nature of composite as result of addition of higher graphite content [3].

Impact strength
The impact strength values are summarized in Table 4. Figure9 shows the variation in impact strength values for plain woven basalt, plain woven E-Glass hacked mate fiber and basalt/E-glass cleaved mate, basalt/E-glass slashed mate with Graphite power variety 5%, 10%, 15% composites.It can be observed that pure E and B + E have shown better impact strength values as compared to other composites.It is true that addition of Graphite powder makes the composite brittle and matrix becomes discontinues there by resulting in reduced impact strength values [4].

5.4
Hardness number After testing, the hardness values are summarized in Table 5. Figure10 shows the variation in hardness values for Basalt, E glass with chopped mat, Basalt with E glass chopped mat, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 5% graphite powder, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 10% graphite powder, Basalt and E glass chopped mat 15% graphite powder.It can be observed that pure E and B+ E have shown higher hardness values as compared to other composites.Since E glass fiber possesses higher hardness as compared to basalt the result for B + E is on higher side.It is interesting and contradicting that addition of graphite powder not yielded in improvement of hardness values.The existence of voids is thought to be the cause of variation in the observed behavior.It is nearly impossible to prevent the production of air bubbles and voids.The voids serve as stress raisers, which start the fractures, in addition to reducing the stress carrying area [3].13.9

Conclusion
Basalt/E-glass/Graphite Epoxy resin composites were successfully fabricated by using the basic hand lay-up process.Experiments were carried out to study the effect of E-glass and graphite on the mechanical properties of basalt epoxy resin composites.The following observations have been derived from these studies: 1. Basalt/E-Glass chopped mat composite have shown the best result corresponding to the tensile strength when compared to pure basalt and pure E-glass epoxy resin composite samples.2. Superior flexural strength has been observed for basalt/E-Glass + 10% graphite composite in comparison with the other composite samples.
3. Though the impact behavior for pure E glass, basalt/E-Glass + 10% graphite, basalt/E-Glass chopped mat + 15% graphite composites were almost closer, yet Basalt/E-Glass chopped mat shown better among them.4. The Brinell hardness number was found to be higher for Basalt/E-Glass composite as compared to other remaining composites.

Figure 2 . 5 quantity 4 .
The steps include; 1. Taking the materials 2 &3.Weighing them to the required Mould preparation 5. Laying a layer of epoxy resin 6. Laying a layer of E-glass and Basalt fiber reinforcement 7. Pouring another layer of resin 8. Drying and demoulding the specimen.

Figure 1 .Figure2.Sequential procedure of fabrication of the composites 4 .
Figure 1.Graphite powder

Table 1 .
Properties of Basalt and E-Glass Fiber

Table 3 .
Flexural strength for various composites

Table 4 .
Impact strength for various composites .Brinell hardness number