Effects of Accelerated Weathering on Degradation Behavior of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

This work aims to give insight on the effect of accelerated weathering, i.e., the combination of ultraviolet (UV) exposure and water spraying, on the visual and mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites. The solvent exchange method, sonication and high shear milling technique were used to prepare the nanocomposite laminates. Three types of laminates were fabricated, i.e., unmodified BFRP, nanosilica modified BFRP and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) modified BFRP composites with the total fiber loading of 45 wt.%. Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate was also prepared for performance comparison purposes between the natural and synthetic fibers. The laminates were exposed to UV with a total weathering condition of 504 h using a Quantum-UV accelerated weathering tester. The weathering condition cycle was set at 8 h 60 °C UV exposure and 4 h 50 °C condensation. The discoloration visual inspection on the tested specimen was observed under the optical microscope. The obtained results showed that the UV exposure and water absorption caused severe discoloration of the laminates due to photo-oxidation reaction. The effect of weathering conditions on tensile and flexural properties of unmodified BFRP composites indicated that the UV exposure and water absorption caused reduction by 12% in tensile strength and by 7% in flexural strength. It is also found that the reduction in tensile and flexural properties of nanomodified BFRP composites was smaller than the unmodified system. It concluded from this work, that the mineral based composites (i.e., BFRP) has high potential for structural applications owing to its better properties than synthetic based composites (i.e., GFRP).

Characterization of the Static, Creep, and Fatigue Tensile Behavior of Basalt Fiber/Polypropylene Composite Rods for Passive Concrete Reinforcement

“…Epoxy-coating carbon steel and stainless steel reinforcing products are obvious alternatives, but fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are becoming more frequently adopted as so-called “corrosion-resistant” concrete reinforcement materials due to their excellent mechanical properties, low density, and resistance to galvanic corrosion [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Numerous studies on FRP for structural reinforcement are reported every year, covering topics such as environmental durability [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] and material mechanics [ 16 , 17 ].…”

A two‐stage analysis for the role of fiber size in terms of length distribution on the performance under accelerated weathering tests of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber‐reinforced vinyl acrylic composites

“…65 In other words, these permanent alterations promoted the ongoing embrittlement of the bonding interactions between the composite components, not to mention the consequent additional diffusion of light and oxygen through the cracks formed on the material surface. 66 On the other hand, the salt-fog aging treatment, consisting of cycles of one hour of salt spray at 25 C followed by one hour of dry-off at 35 C, is responsible for the water absorption by the composite components (i.e., in lignocellulosic fibers, both cellulose and hemicellulose are degradable-hydrolyzed-when exposed to chemical and solution treatments), for the leaching of loose and water-soluble substances (e.g., pectin, not to mention waxes and oils), and for the mechanical stresses induced by swelling/shrinkage mismatches of the composite components during wetting and drying (moisture cycling). 62,67 In like manner, the consequent irreversible microstructural changes, which include thickness and fiber swelling, surface roughening, resin cracking, and color fading, are depicted in Figure 5.…”

Accelerated Aging of Polymeric Composites Based on Waste with TiO2 Fillers

“…The aging of polymer systems involves different factors: natural (light and heat, , moisture, − and UV radiation ,,, ), structural, and accidental (impurities and oxidation processes produced during manufacturing), all of which can reduce the lifetime of the materials significantly. ,, Polymer degradation mechanisms are complex. Thus, the mentioned factors can initiate degradation reactions accompanied by a decrease in the degree of polymerization, an increase in polydispersity, and the formation of cross-linked chemical structures capable of modifying the properties of polymers.…”

“…The aging of polymer systems involves different factors: natural (light and heat, 17,18 moisture, 19−23 and UV radiation 24,25,28,29 ), structural, and accidental (impurities and oxidation processes produced during manufacturing), all of which can reduce the lifetime of the materials significantly. 27,26,30 Polymer degradation mechanisms are complex.…”