Enhancing the mechanical properties of chopped basalt composites by incorporating of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

This study aims to develop and determine mechanical properties chopped basalt fibre reinforced composites (CBFRP) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT). Chopped basalt composite modified with CNT was fabricated using a combination of mechanical stirring and hand layup process. Three different weight percentages of CNT i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5wt. % were filled into epoxy resin before mixing with chopped basalt fiber. The mechanical performance namely tensile properties and fracture toughness behaviour of the fabricated chopped basalt composites was assessed using Universal Testing Machine in accordance to ASTM standard D368 and D695, respectively. The results showed that the incorporation of CNT enhanced tensile and fracture toughness properties of the CBFRP composites. However, a higher amount of CNT (1.5wt%) incorporated into the CBFRP caused reduction in tensile strength, tensile modulus and Gic by 4.40%, 2.46% and 30.36 %, respectively, as compared to those of 1.0CNT-CBFRP.