Reduced graphene oxide coating on basalt fabric using electrophoretic deposition and its role in the mechanical and tribological performance of epoxy/basalt fiber composites

Abstract

The interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix plays a pivotal role in deciding the mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced composites. Basalt fibers, due to the absence of surface functional groups, do not interact potentially with the matrix and hence it leads to insufficient load-carrying capacity of the composite. Incorporating nanomaterials in the matrix and surface treatment of the reinforced fiber can improve the fiber–matrix interface. However, poor dispersion of nanomaterials and the complexity of surface treatment methods restrict their industrial applications. Coating nanomaterials directly onto the fiber surface has the potential to distribute the nanomaterials uniformly, along with strengthening the interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix. In this study, graphene oxide was coated on the basalt fabric through electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and was further reinforced into the epoxy matrix. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of graphene oxide-coated basalt fiber using EPD on the mechanical and tribological performance of the composite. For comparison, epoxy/basalt composites and graphene oxide-coated epoxy/basalt composites were also prepared. Results showed that due to the improved fiber–matrix bonding and uniform distribution of graphene oxide, the coated basalt-reinforced composites showed better tensile strength and less wear loss.

Influence of extrusion pressures on shape memory properties of carbon fiber/basalt fiber hybrid composites with graphene oxide fabricated by the vacuum infiltration hot pressing system

“…Because thermosetting resin was hydrophobic, it had low wettability and a large wetting angle 20 . The surface of basalt fiber contained little oxygen functional groups 21 . The wettability decreased with the decrease of oxygen‐containing functional group 22 .…”

“…20 The surface of basalt fiber contained little oxygen functional groups. 21 The wettability decreased with the decrease of oxygen-containing functional group. 22 Therefore, the solution containing GO with the same viscosity had a different infiltration effect on the surface of these two fibers.…”