Significantly improved shear, dynamic-mechanical, and mode II fracture performance of seawater aged basalt/epoxy composites: The impact of halloysite nanotube reinforcement


Ulus H., Kaybal H. B., ESKİZEYBEK V., Avcı A.

Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, cilt.24, sa.4, ss.1005-1014, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jestch.2021.01.005
  • Dergi Adı: Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1005-1014
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Basalt fiber (BF), Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Epoxy (EP), Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), Mode II delamination toughness (GIIC), Seawater aging
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

© 2021 Karabuk UniversityThe primary concern of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) subjected to seawater environment is losing their initial mechanical performance since water can diffuse into the composite and deteriorates the fiber-matrix interface. Recent studies related to aging performance in the seawater environment have shown that introducing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) into the polymer matrix offers a combination of an efficient barrier effect and an improved fiber-matrix interface. Hereupon, the principal objective of this study was to experimentally investigate the impact of HNTs on shear and mode II fracture performances of the seawater aged basalt fiber (BF) reinforced epoxy (EP) composites. After six months of aging in seawater, the findings indicated that HNTs reinforced multi-scale composites exhibited 34 and 46% higher shear strength and mode II delamination toughness compared to the neat specimens. Moreover, according to the dynamic-mechanical analysis, higher glass transition temperatures (8%) were obtained for the multi-scale composites. The reduction in mechanical performances induced by fiber-matrix interfacial degradation was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Chemical deterioration of the polymer matrix was explored by Raman spectroscopy to reveal the efficiency of HNTs induced barrier effect. As a result of these investigations, HNT modified BF/EP multi-scale composites were offered for future advanced engineering applications.