Effect of reinforcements and processing method on mechanical properties of glass and basalt epoxy composites

The effect of reinforcement material and manufacturing method on tensile, impact, and hardness properties of glass and basalt laminated composites were studied. Woven glass and basalt fabrics were used as reinforcements along with a thermosetting epoxy matrix to fabricate the laminate composites. The glass and basalt epoxy composites were made using hand layup with compression, vacuum bagging, and vacuum-assisted resin infusion methods. The characterization tests are performed as per the ASTM D638-10, ASTM D256, and ASTM D2240 standard respectively. The basalt epoxy composites show improved mechanical properties compared to the glass-epoxy composites. Further, hand layup, along with compression moulding and resin infusion methods, were found to be beneficial in improving the mechanical properties of the composites. Field emission scanning electron microscopic analysis conveyed the adhesion between fibers and resin as well as the voids retained within the matrix are the dominant factors that determined the mechanical properties of the laminated composites such as tensile, impact strength and hardness.