A recent increase in the use of ecofriendly, natural fibers as reinforcement for the fabrication of lightweight, low cost polymer composites can be seen globally. One such material of interest currently being extensively used is basalt fiber, which is cost-effective and offers exceptional properties over glass fibers. The prominent advantages of these composites include high specific mechano-physico-chemical properties, biodegradability, and non-abrasive qualities to name a few. This article presents a short review on basalt fibers used as a reinforcement material for composites and discusses them as an alternative to the use of glass fibers. The paper also discusses the basics of basalt chemistry and its classification. Apart from this, an attempt to showcase the increasing trend in research publications and activity in the area of basalt fibers is also covered. Further sections discuss the improvement in mechanical, thermal and chemical resistant properties achieved for applications in specific industries.

A short review on basalt fiber reinforced polymer composites

The incorporation of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix is considered to be a highly effective technique to improve the mechanical properties of resins. In this paper the effects of the addition of different nanoparticles such as single-walled CNT (SWCNT), double-walled CNT (DWCNT), multi-walled CNT (MWCNT), graphene, nanoclay and nanosilica on fracture toughness, strength and stiffness of the epoxy matrix have been reviewed. The Young's modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), mode I (GIC) and mode II (GIIC) fracture toughness of the various nanocomposites at different nanoparticle loadings are compared. The review shows that, depending on the type of nanoparticles, the integration of the nanoparticles has a substantial effect on mode I and mode II fracture toughness, strength and stiffness. The critical factors such as maintaining a homogeneous dispersion and good adhesion between the matrix and the nanoparticles are highlighted. The effect of surface functionalization, its relevancy and toughening mechanism are also scrutinized and discussed. A large variety of data comprised of the mechanical properties of nanomaterial toughened composites reported to date has thus been compiled to facilitate the evolution of this emerging field, and the results are presented in maps showing the effect of nanoparticle loading on mode I fracture toughness, stiffness and strength.

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Improving the fracture toughness and the strength of epoxy using nanomaterials – a review of the current status

This paper reports the synthesis and detailed characterization of graphite thin films produced by thermal decomposition of the (0001) face of a 6H-SiC wafer, demonstrating the successful growth of single crystalline films down to approximately one graphene layer. The growth and characterization were carried out in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The growth process and sample quality were monitored by low-energy electron diffraction, and the thickness of the sample was determined by core level x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy shows constant energy map patterns, which are very sharp and fully momentum-resolved, but nonetheless not resolution limited. We discuss the implications of this observation in connection with scanning electron microscopy data, as well as with previous studies.

Synthesis and characterization of atomically-thin graphite filmson a silicon carbide substrate,

Polyvinyl alcohol: A review of research status and use of polyvinyl alcohol based nanocomposites

We have produced ultrathin epitaxial graphite films which show remarkable 2D electron gas (2DEG) behavior. The films, composed of typically 3 graphene sheets, were grown by thermal decomposition on the (0001) surface of 6H-SiC, and characterized by surface-science techniques. The low-temperature conductance spans a range of localization regimes according to the structural state (square resistance 1.5 kOhm to 225 kOhm at 4 K, with positive magnetoconductance). Low resistance samples show characteristics of weak-localization in two dimensions, from which we estimate elastic and inelastic mean free paths. At low field, the Hall resistance is linear up to 4.5 T, which is well-explained by n-type carriers of density 10^{12} cm^{-2} per graphene sheet. The most highly-ordered sample exhibits Shubnikov - de Haas oscillations which correspond to nonlinearities observed in the Hall resistance, indicating a potential new quantum Hall system. We show that the high-mobility films can be patterned via conventional lithographic techniques, and we demonstrate modulation of the film conductance using a top-gate electrode. These key elements suggest electronic device applications based on nano-patterned epitaxial graphene (NPEG), with the potential for large-scale integration.

Ultrathin epitaxial graphite: 2D electron gas properties and a route toward graphene-based nanoelectronics

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the present trends in graphene research with an emphasis on graphene-based nanocomposites and their applications. Various synthesis routes have recently been devised for mass production of graphene to address the needs of the composite industry. This paper describes the worldwide scenario of research and patents being conducted in the field of graphene nanocomposites. It concludes with a discussion of the impact of graphene in composites and the future challenges to meeting industrial demands.

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A comprehensive review of graphene nanocomposites: research status and trends

In this study, the effect of stacking sequence on the flexural and fracture properties of carbon/ basalt/epoxy hybrid composites was investigated. Two types of carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites with a sandwich form were fabricated: basalt skin-carbon core (BSCC) composites and carbon skin-basalt core (CSBC) composites. Fracture tests were conducted and the fracture surfaces of the carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites were then examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the flexural strength and flex ural modulus of the CSBC specimen respectively were ~32% and ~245% greater than those of the BSCC specimen. However, the interlaminar fracture toughness of the CSBC specimen was ~10% smaller than that of the BSCC specimen. SEM results on the fracture surface showed that matrix cracking is a dominant fracture mechanism for the CSBC specimen while interfacial debonding between fibers and epoxy resin is a dominant fracture process for the BSCC specimen.

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Effect of stacking sequence on the flexural and fracture properties of carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites

It has been demonstrated in a previous study that carbon nanotube (CNT)/epoxy/basalt composites produce better flexural properties than epoxy/basalt composites. In this study, mode І fracture tests were conducted using CNT/epoxy/basalt composites with and without seawater absorption in order to investigate the effect of the seawater absorption on the mode I fracture toughness (GIc) of the CNT/epoxy/basalt composites. The results demonstrated that the compliance of the seawater-absorbed specimen was larger than that of the dry specimen at the same crack length, while the opposite result was obtained for the fracture load. The GIc value of the seawater-absorbed CNT/epoxy/basalt composites was approximately 20% lower than that of the dry CNT/epoxy/basalt composites.

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Hyun Ju Kim

Papers

A comprehensive review of graphene nanocomposites: research status and trends

Effect of stacking sequence on the flexural and fracture properties of carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites

A study on the fracture toughness of seawater-absorbed carbon nanotube/epoxy/basalt composites