Mechanical and anticorrosion properties of furan/epoxy-based basalt fiber-reinforced composites

A furan/epoxy blend applicable to composite manufacture was studied and corresponding basalt fiber-reinforced composites were prepared. The processability, mechanical properties, and reasons for the improved mechanical properties of this blend were investigated by rheology machine, mechanical testing machine, and scanning electron microscopy. With excellent processability, furan/epoxy was suitable for manufacturing composites. Furan/epoxy with the ratio of 5/5 showed the best properties, and the impact strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus were 15.43 kJ/m 2, 102.81 MPa, and 3209.40 MPa, respectively. The river-like fracture surface of the furan/epoxy system was well consistent with the mechanical properties. The mechanical and anti-corrosive properties of basalt fiber-reinforced furan/epoxy composites were also studied. The mechanical properties of composites changed the same as those of furan/epoxy matrix did. Furan resin effectively improved the anti-acid but not anti-alkali property of composites, probably because furan could be cured in acidic condition and basalt fiber was resistant to acid and alkali. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.