In recent years, both industrial and academic world are focussing their attention toward the development of sustainable composites, reinforced with natural fibres. In particular, among the natural fibres (i.e. animal, vegetable or mineral) that can be used as reinforcement, the basalt ones represent the most interesting for their properties. The aim of this review is to illustrate the results of research on this topical subject. In the introduction, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of basalt fibre have been reviewed. Moreover, its main manufacturing technologies have been described. Then, the effect of using this mineral fibre as reinforcement of different matrices as polymer (both thermoplastic and thermoset), metal and concrete has been presented. Furthermore, an overview on the application of this fibre in biodegradable matrix composites and in hybrid composites has been provided. Finally, the studies on the industrial applications of basalt fibre reinforced composites have been reviewed.

A review on basalt fibre and its composites

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

Experimental study on the mechanical properties and microstructure of chopped basalt fibre reinforced concrete

The increase in awareness of the damage caused by synthetic materials on the environment has led to the development of eco-friendly materials. The researchers have shown a lot of interest in developing such materials which can replace the synthetic materials. As a result, there is an increase in demand for commercial use of the natural fiber-based composites in recent years for various industrial sectors. Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and high specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fibers, the effect of treatments on natural fibers, etc. We also summarize the major applications of natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.

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Natural Fibers as Sustainable and Renewable Resource for Development of Eco-friendly Composites: A Comprehensive Review

We investigated the effect of different stacking sequences of carbon and basalt fabrics on the flexural properties of hybrid composite laminates. The hybrid composites were fabricated using a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process. Three-point bending test was performed and the fracture surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The present results showed that the flexural strength and modulus of hybrid composite laminates were strongly dependent on the sequence of fiber reinforcement. All the stacking sequences showed a positive hybridization effect. The interply hybrid composite with carbon fiber at the compressive side exhibited higher flexural strength and modulus than when basalt fabric was placed at the compressive side. Here, the proper stacking sequence of basalt and carbon fiber layers was found to improve the balance of the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite laminate.

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Effect of stacking sequence on the flexural properties of hybrid composites reinforced with carbon and basalt fibers

Unsaturated polyester-based polymer composites were developed by reinforcing basalt fabric into an unsaturated polyester matrix using the hand layup technique at room temperature. This study describes basalt fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites both with and without acid and alkali treatments of the fabrics. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of surface modifications (NaOH & H2SO4) on mechanical properties, including tensile, shear and impact strengths. Variations in mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, the inter-laminar shear strength and the impact strength of various specimens were calculated using a computer-assisted universal testing machine and an Izod Impact testing machine. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations of the fracture surface of the composites showed surface modifications to the fibre and improved fibre–matrix adhesion. The result of the investigation shows that the mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced composites are superior to glass fibre reinforced composites. This work confirms the applicability of basalt fibre as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites.

Investigation of the effect of surface modifications on the mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced polymer composites

Growing awareness about eco-friendly materials and environmental regulations have encouraged researchers to use natural resources for structural applications. Natural fibers such as sisal, banana, kenaf, jute, and oil palm are abundantly available; they are cheap and possess superior mechanical properties. Sisal fiber is one of the most promising reinforcements in polymer composites because of its higher tensile strength, modulus and impact strength. Traditionally, sisal fibers were used to make ropes, fancy articles, carpets, etc. There has been growing interest in finding potential structural applications for using sisal fiber-based polymer composites, especially in automobile, marine, and aircraft structures. This chapter addresses developments in sisal fiber-based thermoset and thermoplastic composites and the effects of surface modifications through various treatments. This chapter also deals with the effects of sisal fiber hybridization with other plant and synthetic fibers on mechanical and physical properties.

Mechanical and physical properties of sisal and hybrid sisal fiber-reinforced polymer composites

In this paper, a review of natural fibers composites used in protective armors for ballistic applications like bulletproof vests is presented. It seeks to compile the results and establish natural ...

Potential of Natural Fibers in Composites for Ballistic Applications – A Review

Abstract Different stacking sequences of woven basalt and jute fiber hybrid composites were prepared using compression molding techniques. The static mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact behaviors were studied. A constant pressure was applied to all the fabricated composites, and fibers were arranged in different layering patterns. It was found that from the different layering patterns, the tensile and flexural properties slightly increased for hybrid composites having alternate layers of basalt and jute fiber. To study the fracture surface morphology of the hybrid composites, scanning electron microscopy was also performed.

Influence of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of basalt-jute fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid composites

This article presents the usage of industrial wastes like saw dust, rice husk, fly ash and red mud as reinforcement for the matrix materials like polyester and epoxy. Fillers are also reinforced with matrix in the weight fraction of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 wt% as secondary reinforcement material. The composites were prepared by hand-lay-up technique and their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength and hardness properties were studied. Result shows that saw dust and rice husk reinforced polyester composite possess good mechanical performance due to the wettability of the composite prepared. Their tensile strength increased by 14% and 18% and the impact strength increases by 61% and 142% respectively. In case of epoxy matrix, because of uneven dispersion of filler, impact strength decreased by 89% and 83%. Fly ash result shows good mechanical performance in polyester matrix subsequently their tensile and impact strength increased by 63% and 42%. Red mud show good impact strength, but poor tensile strength in both matrixes due to poor wettability. Further the failure mechanism of the composites was discussed with Scanning Electron Microscopic studies (SEM).

P. Amuthakkannan

Papers

Investigation of the effect of surface modifications on the mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced polymer composites

Mechanical and physical properties of sisal and hybrid sisal fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Potential of Natural Fibers in Composites for Ballistic Applications – A Review

Influence of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of basalt-jute fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid composites

Usage of industrial wastes as particulate composite for environment management: Hardness, Tensile and Impact studies