Characterizing polylactic acid/basalt fiber composite: Synthesis, characterization, and mechanical property evaluation

Abstract

This investigation focused on enhancing the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) through the incorporation of basalt fibers and a maleic anhydride coupling agent. Basalt fibers, renowned for their high tensile strength and modulus, were selected as a potential reinforcement to augment PLA’s mechanical performance. To optimize interfacial bonding between the hydrophilic PLA matrix and hydrophobic basalt fibers, maleic anhydride was employed as a coupling agent. The results indicate that the inclusion of 3 wt.% maleic anhydride and 10-20 wt.% basalt fibers significantly improved the composite’s tensile strength by 40% and flexural strength by 51%. These findings underscore the potential of basalt fiber-reinforced PLA as a high-performance, sustainable material for diverse applications.