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This paper presents the modification results and effects of reinforcing green polyethylene terephthalate matrix composites (bioPET ECOZEN® T120) with basalt fibers of two different lengths. Five types of composites with two filling levels of 7.5 and 15 wt% of each fiber were produced by injection molding. Basic mechanical and processing properties, microstructure photographs, and reinforcement effects were analyzed and low- and high-cycle fatigue tests were performed. A significant increase in strength and stiffness was observed (especially for short fibers) proportional to the amount of fibers; longer fibers would also increase the deformation capacity of the composite. Furthermore, longer fibers would reduce relaxation processes (creep) but would not increase the dissipation capacity and mechanical energy. Predictability of fatigue effects enables optimal environmentally friendly materials to be designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the poor interfacial adhesion of commercial basalt fibers (BFs), failure mechanisms such as fiber debonding, sliding, pull-out, and crack bridging occurred at BFs/polymer interfaces. In this work, BFs were surface modified by 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTES) and succinic anhydride (SA) to improve their interface compatibility. The surface treatment was conducted after removing the original commercial sizing and pretreating them with high-temperatures and activation process. APTES and SA were successfully grafted on BFs rather than physical coating, it introduced specific functional groups, increased thermal stability and reduced surface defects of BFs. High-temperature reduced the –OH groups and weakened monofilament tensile strength, but activation process realized surface Si–OH regeneration, which enhanced thermal stability and tensile strength of BFs. The monofilament tensile strength of BFs followed a two-parameter Weibull distribution. The monofilament tensile strength of APTES- and SA-modified BFs increased by up to 84.3% compared with high-temperature reduced BFs. By modification, the functional groups were successfully introduced into commercial BFs, the maximum thermal decomposition temperature was 507 °C, increased by 35.7%. The modified BFs is expected to improve the overall performance of BFs/polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to develop fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) with enhanced fire resistance, which can be particularly useful for the transport industry (e.g., aviation, automotive, and train production). The fire retardation was achieved through epoxy matrix modification with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCTP). First, the fire-resistant and mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix filled with different HCTP contents (4.8, 7.2, and 9.5 wt.%) were studied to select the most effective HCTP content for the impregnation of FRC. Then, glass, basalt, and carbon fiber fabrics were impregnated with epoxy filled with 7.2 wt.% of HCTP, and the fire resistance, flexural, and interlaminar fracture properties were studied to select the most effective HCTP-modified type of fiber reinforcement based on the test results. It was concluded that basalt fiber impregnated with epoxy filled with HCTP could be selected as the most effective reinforcement type, allowing excellent mechanical and flame-retardant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep beams are crucial for construction projects due to their load-carrying capacity, shear resistance, and architectural adaptability. Ultra-high strength concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) are used in their production. Basalt fiber is used as an alternative due to its corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and thermal stability. This study investigates the behavior of UHPC deep beams reinforced with basalt fibers. Three sets of 11 specimens were constructed without transverse reinforcement and reinforced with either fibers or steel fibers. The study also analyzes the impact of parameters like shear strength capacity, crack development, and load-deflection behavior on UHPC deep beams. The study discovered that the inclusion of basalt fibers in UHPC deep beam can effectively postpone the onset of diagonal cracks. Incorporating basalt fiber at concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% led to respective increases of 48.17, 70.07, and 86.66% in the diagonal fracture force, as compared to the inclusion of steel fibers which resulted in increases of 18.24, 56.93, and 98.54% in diagonal fracture loads. The ideal ratio for enhancing the maximum shear capacity was found to be 0.75% of basalt. This specific percent resulted in the highest measured force out of the three percentages that were examined. The addition of basalt fibers at concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% resulted in respective improvements of 11.62, 30.08, and 28.69% in the ultimate shear capacities. During that period, steel fibers significantly enhanced the ultimate shear capacity, resulting in an increase of 19.83, 34.49, and 55.24% compared to specimens without fiber reinforcement. Regarding the second parameter of this investigation, a drop in the shear span ratio is linked to an augmentation in shear capacity and a reduction in mid-span deflection to varying extents for both the utilization of basalt and steel fibers.

Basalt fiber (BF)‐reinforced thermoplastic polymers (TPs) show great potential by leveraging their recyclability. Sizing agents are crucial in optimizing BF quality and aiding polymer impregnation during production. However, the absence of established guidelines for sizing agents tailored to thermoplastic BFs persists. This study investigates the effects of sizing agent ingredients on the mechanical and surface properties of BFs under industrial conditions. The Taguchi method was used to formulate nine BF sizing agents, predominantly incorporating polypropylene (PP) emulsion, epoxy or polyurethane emulsion, silane coupling agents (SCAs), and additives. Our investigation extends to evaluating the tensile strength, surface roughness, and wetting characteristics of individual BFs. Results indicate that a heightened PP concentration enhances BF adhesion to TPs but concurrently reduces BF tensile strength. Furthermore, using SCA, specifically dodecyltrimethoxysilane, leads to a remarkable enhancement of approximately 20% in BF tensile strength and an impressive 40% in BF adhesion to TPs. This study unravels sizing agent intricacies, illuminating their nuanced interplay with the work of adhesion rooted in fiber and polymer surface energy. Our work offers innovative solutions to optimize BF‐reinforced thermoplastic polymers. Highlights: Investigating thermoplastic sizing agent formulations for basalt fibers (BFs)Guiding formulation of BF sizing agents with the Taguchi Method.Predicting contact angles between BFs and commonly used thermoplastic polymers.PP emulsions favor BF‐thermoplastic polymer adhesion but not BF tensile strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing requirements regarding the safety of using polymers and their composites are related to the emergence of more effective, sustainable, and hazardous-limited fire retardants (FRs). Significant amounts of FRs are usually required to effectively affect a polymer's burning behavior, while the knowledge of their recycling potential is still insufficient. At the same time, concerns are related not only to the reduced effectiveness of flame retardancy but also, above all, to the potential deterioration of mechanical properties caused by the degradation of temperature-affected additives under processing conditions. This study describes the impact of the four-time reprocessing of bio-based polyamide 11 (PA11) modified with an intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), melamine cyanurate (MC), and pentaerythritol (PER) and its composites containing additional short basalt fibers (BFs). Composites manufactured via twin-screw extrusion were subjected to four reprocessing cycles using injection molding. A comprehensive analysis of their structural, mechanical, and fire behavior changes in each cycle was conducted. The obtained results confirmed the safety of using the proposed fire-retarded polyamide and its composites while reprocessing under the recommended process parameters without the risk of significant changes in the structure. The partial increase in flammability of reprocessed PA-based materials caused mainly by polymer degradation has been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the strong adhesion of mussels, basalt fibers (BFs) were modified with polydopamine and then composited with nylon 6. The effect of polydopamine content on the interfacial interactions and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. In addition, silica nanoparticles were grown on the surface of polydopamine‐modified BFs to investigate the synergistic effect. The study revealed that the mechanical properties of the composites based on polydopamine‐modified BF were gradually enhanced with the increase of the dopamine coverage concentration, and gradually decreased after reaching the peak. 0.5 g/L concentration of dopamine solution modified BFs showed the best enhancement effect on nylon 6, and its tensile strength could reach 133.1 MPa, which was 28.5% higher than that of the unmodified composites. The tensile strength of the composites modified with both dopamine and silica nanoparticles reached 157 MPa, which was 51.7% higher than that of the unmodified composites. In addition, scanning electron microscope images of fracture sections confirmed the strong interfacial interaction between BF and PA6. Highlights: The surface roughness of BF was increased by nano‐SiO2.Hydrogen bonding was formed between PDA and PA6.Physical interlock was formed between nano‐SiO2 and PA6.Tensile strength increased by 51.7% with both nano‐SiO2 and PDA.Stronger interfacial interaction leads to higher thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, glass and basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites' behaviour in quasi-static and dynamic conditions is studied. Composites were fabricated by vacuum assisted Compression molding method. Composites failure under quasi-static tension and compressive conditions was studied along with its failure behaviour under low-velocity impact and super-sonic shock loading under dynamic conditions. The study results showed that basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Basalt/PP) composite's tensile and compressive strength is higher than glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Glass/PP). The Basalt/PP showed no penetration against low velocity impact (LVI) with negligible deformations till 50 J. However, the Glass/PP perforated at 50 J with various failure patterns occurring at back side. The fiber-matrix interface adhesion plays an important role in super-sonic shock loading by absorbing shock wave energy due to ductile nature of polypropylene and the two composites absorbed energy via matrix and fibers failure, no brittle failure of laminates occurred under shock loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reflection cracks are one of the most common problems in semi-rigid base pavement. Setting a stress absorption layer can effectively delay the occurrence of reflection cracks, but further improvement is still needed in its interlayer bonding performance and anti-reflection crack performance. Considering the excellent crack resistance of basalt fibers and the good elastic recovery ability of rubber asphalt, it is considered worthwhile to incorporate them into traditional stress absorption layers to improve performance. To simulate the actual pavement layer effect, composite specimens consisting of a cement-stabilized macadam base + basalt fiber rubber asphalt stress-absorbing layer + AC-20 asphalt mixture surface layer were prepared to evaluate their performance through interlayer direct shear tests, interlayer tensile tests, three-point bending tests, and overlay tests (OTs). To determine the optimal fiber blending combination, four fiber lengths (3 cm, 6 cm, 9 cm, 12 cm) and four fiber proportions (120 g/m2, 140 g/m2, 160 g/m2, 180 g/m2) were selected respectively. The specific effects of basalt fibers with different lengths and dosages were analyzed. The results show that compared with the absence of fibers, the improvement of interlayer bonding performance of rubber asphalt with basalt fibers is not significant, and it has certain limitations; however, the improvement of anti-reflective crack performance is significant, with an increase of up to 305.5%. This indicates that the network structure formed by basalt fibers and rubber asphalt stress absorption layer can effectively absorb and disperse external loads, causing an excellent crack resistance effect. Meanwhile, the results indicate that the main factor affecting its interlayer bonding strength and anti-reflective crack performance is the fiber content. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the performance and economy of the stress absorption layer of basalt fiber rubber asphalt, the optimal fiber parameter combination recommended is as fiber length 9 cm and fiber content 160 g/m2. These results can provide a reference for the design and performance evaluation of basalt fiber rubber asphalt stress absorption layer, and have certain application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of basalt fibers (BFs), calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs), and modified calcium sulfate whiskers (MCSWs) on the compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete, this paper utilizes Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) to measure the microstructure of concrete and calculate the fractal dimension of pore surface area. The results indicate that both CSWs and BFs can increase the compressive strength of concrete. CSWs can enhance the dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete, while the effect of BFs on the dynamic modulus of elasticity is not significant. The improvement in compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity provided by MCSWs is significantly greater than that provided by CSWs. Both CSWs and BFs can effectively improve the pore structure of concrete and have a significant impact on the surface fractal dimension. CSWs inhibit the formation of ink-bottle pores, while BFs increase the number of ink-bottle pores. Due to the ink-bottle pore effect, the fractal dimension of the capillary pore surface is generally greater than three, lacking fractal characteristics. The compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete have a good correlation with the fractal dimensions of large pores and transition pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese slag (MS) containing a certain amount of active hydration substances may be used as a kind of cementitious material. In the present study, we measured the mass, the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), and the flexural and compressive strengths of MS high-performance concrete (MS-HPC) with added basalt fibers exposed to NaCl freeze–thaw cycles (N-FCs), NaCl dry–wet alternations (N-DAs), and Na2SO4 dry–wet alternations (NS-DAs). Scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) curves, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) curves were obtained. The mass ratio of MS ranged from 0% to 40%. The volume ratio of basalt fibers varied from 0% to 2%. We found that, as a result of salt action, the mass loss rate (MLR) exhibited linear functions which were inversely correlated with the mass ratio of MS and the volume ratio of basalt fibers. After salt action, MLR increased by rates of 0~56.3%, but this increase was attenuated by the addition of MS and basalt fibers. Corresponding increases in RDME exhibited a linear function which was positively correlated with MS mass ratios in a range of 0~55.1%. The addition of MS and basalt fibers also led to decreased attenuation of mechanical strength, while the addition of MS led to increased levels of flocculent hydration products and the elements Mn, Mg, and Fe. CaClOH and CaSO4 crystals were observed in XRD curves after N-DA and NS-DA actions, respectively. Finally, the addition of MS resulted in increased variation in TG values. However, the opposite result was obtained when dry–wet actions were exerted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of basalt and S‐glass fiber‐reinforced poly(dicyclopentadiene) via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization using a thermally latent pre‐catalyst, that is, Mo(N‐3,5‐Me2‐C6H3)(= CH‐(2‐MeO‐C6H4))(IMes)(OTf)2 (1, IMes = 1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene; OTf = SO3CF3) is reported. Complementarily, the non‐latent first‐generation Grubbs initiator RuCl2(PPh3)2(CHPh) (2) is used. 2 can be rendered latent by the addition of ppm amounts of triphenylphosphine (PPh3). Both 1 and 2/PPh3 allow the realization of thermally latent single‐component systems with sufficient pot life that do not require pre‐mixing of the individual components shortly before use. The prepared fiber matrix composites are characterized in terms of mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt fiber is prone to slip and fall off in asphalt system. To improve the interfacial adhesion strength between basalt fibers (BFs) and asphalt, titanate coupling agents (TCAs) were applied to BF-reinforced asphalt. The mechanical properties of fibers with TCA concentration (6%, 8%, 10%, 12%) and infiltration time (10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min) were tested by monofilament tensile strength test to obtain the best treatment conditions. The crystal phase, functional group, microstructure, and elemental changes of the TCA-treated basalt fibers were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The controlled group (untreated basalt fibers) was also prepared for comparison. Meanwhile, the adhesion work and interfacial bonding strength between asphalt and basalt fibers were compared and quantitatively assessed through pull-out tests. Additionally, the thermal stability of asphalt was evaluated using the differential scanning calorimetry test, while the surface morphology of the fractured asphalt sections was observed through scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the surface of basalt fibers was chemically modified by TCA successfully, forming octopus-inspired micro-sucker coated. Through this process, the nascent Si–O–Ti bond acts as a tie connecting the basalt and asphalt surface, which promoted the adhesive properties of BF to asphalt. Compared with the control group, the adhesion work and adhesion energy of basalt fibers-asphalt increased by 20.05% and 26.82%, respectively, and the thermal stability was improved. The experimental results show that after the treatment of the fiber surface by TCA, the interaction between the fiber and the asphalt is strengthened, and the interfacial bonding morphology is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing attention being paid to environmental issues, the application of natural fibers in fiber-reinforced composites has attracted more and more attention. Composite materials with basalt fibers (BFs) as reinforcement have excellent properties and are widely used in many fields. Hydrothermal aging crucially influences the durability of basalt fiber/epoxy resin composites (BF/ERCs). In this study, BFs were used as reinforcing materials, whose surfaces were modified with a rare earth modification solution (CeCl3). The density, mechanical performance, and chemical properties of BF/ERCs subjected to hygrothermal aging were analyzed by the weight method, static mechanical performance testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effects of the modification solution with different Ce concentrations on the water absorption, tensile, bending and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of BF/ERCs were investigated. The test results showed that the water absorption of BF/ERCs treated with a modification solution that contained Ce 0.5 wt % as the minimum value and the retention rate of the mechanical properties of BF/ERCs reached maximum values after hygrothermal aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites with good thermomechanical and UV-shielding properties are essential in fiber-reinforced composites. This paper focuses on composites' ultraviolet (UV) shielding efficiency with added Ce-Zr-Si oxide nanoparticles/epoxy resin. The Ce-Zr oxide nanoparticles were first functionalized with a silicon coupling agent and ethyl silicate to improve their dispersion and surface activity. In this work, we prepared epoxy nanocomposites with the addition of Ce-Zr -Si oxides(1,3,5,7 wt%) and found that the materials had good enhancement of the UV shielding properties of the epoxy resin matrix. Meanwhile, it was used in basalt fiber (BF)/epoxy composites prepared by the hot-pressing method, and surface treatment of basalt fibers was carried out. The results showed that the modified fiber composites could effectively enhance the thermomechanical properties of epoxy resin composites. It is noteworthy that the tensile strength and flexural strength of the hybrid composites reached their peak when 5 wt% Ce-Zr-Si was added, increasing by 13.8% and 33.67% respectively. The modified (BF)/epoxy composites exhibited improved thermal stability compared to pure epoxy resin, with the maximum weight loss temperature of BF-1/EP reaching 349°C. The T(UVA) decreased to 2.41%, while the T(UVB) decreased to 0.053%, and almost all the ultraviolet irradiation was blocked. These results show that our prepared composites have good thermomechanical and UV shielding properties. Highlights • Ce-Zr oxide nanoparticles were functionalized with a silicon coupling agent. • Ce-Zr-Si oxide was added to enhance the ultraviolet shielding efficiency. • Modified BFs were composited to improve thermomechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to overcome the limitations of traditional pervious concrete, which is difficult to balance in terms of both mechanical properties and permeability, this study proposed a novel and effective approach to improve the performances of pervious concrete (PC) based on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and basalt fibers (BF). The mechanical properties and permeability tests of PC with single-doped or double-doped h-BN and BF were conducted first. Then the influence laws of h-BN and BF content on the compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity, and permeability coefficient for PC were revealed. Finally, the micro-mechanism effects of h-BN and BF on the performances of PC were explored by using a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive spectrometer. The results showed that the compressive strength of PC was increased with the increase in the h-BN content, and the flexural strength, porosity, and permeability coefficient increased first and then decreased. Meanwhile, with the increase in the BF content, the compressive strength and flexural strength of PC increased first and then decreased. Moreover, the compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity, and permeability coefficient of the proposed pervious concrete were 22.8 MPa, 5.17 MPa, 18.5%, and 5.09 mm/s, respectively, which were increases of 21.9%, 19.7%, 60.9%, and 42.2%, respectively, compared with ordinary permeable concrete when the optimal admixture combination was 15% fly ash, 0.08% h-BN, and 2.25% BF. This study can avoid the limitations of traditional pervious concrete and provide an efficient alternative way for improving the mechanical and permeability properties of pervious concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the potential of natural fiber (NF) composites for various engineering applications is well‐recognized, a deep understanding of the intricate interactions within these composites remains crucial. This study examines the microstructural characteristics of the polymer matrix and evaluates the impact of reinforcement size, with a particular focus on fire sensitivity. Hybrid‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were introduced using a unique tri‐hybrid system. This system combines long flax fibers (LFF) as primary reinforcement, with short basalt fibers (BF) and micro rice husk powder (RHP) as secondary reinforcements. These composites were fabricated using innovative extrusion, compression, and injection molding techniques. This novel fabrication method and strategic hybrid design bridged gaps in the composite structure, leading to significant enhancements in tensile and flexural strength. Improvements of 57.82%, 67.53%, and 60.02% over LFF/PP composites were observed, respectively. On the thermal front, the char residue surged by an impressive 497.51%. Flame properties, notably pHRR and THR, were reduced by 57.25% and 13.28%, respectively. These enhancements are attributed to the lignin in BF and the silica in RHP. The fire safety index further confirmed these improvements, with FGI and FPI increasing by 27.33% and 111.11%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt fiber-reinforced pea gravel concrete (BFRPGC) has remarkable potential for use as the retrofitting covers for masonry walls. However, a quantitative understanding of the mechanical properties of the BFRPGC material is still a perceived gap in the current literature. In this study, the role of basalt fibers in pea gravel concrete was evaluated by a comprehensive experimental investigation involving compressive strength tests and splitting tensile tests. Fiber length and volume fraction were selected as the key parameters. Two fiber lengths of 6 mm and 12 mm were considered, while the volume fraction corresponding to each of the fiber lengths was increased from 0.3% to 0.8%, with a step of 0.1%. The measured strengths were not simply proportional to the fiber volume fraction. The reason behind this phenomenon, i.e., the coupling effect of the bridging role of basalt fibers on concrete microcracks and the fiber agglomeration in concrete, was analyzed. The best performance of the BFRPGC material was achieved by incorporating 12-millimeter-length fibers with a volume fraction of 0.4%. Compared to that of the reference pea gravel concrete, a significant increase of up to 44.5% in compressive strength was recorded in this case. Furthermore, the failure mechanism of basalt fibers in pea gravel concrete was disclosed via the scanning electron microscope observations. In addition, the uniaxial compressive stress–strain model of the BFRPGC material was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of using basalt reinforced UHPC by incorporating simultaneously self-cleaning and self-luminescent features, paving the way for sustainable advancements in civil engineering. New green formulations of UHPC were developed by integrating supplementary cementitious materials and optimizing water to the binder ratio, followed by using basalt fibers to enhance strength and ductility. The fabricated samples with high particle-packing density exhibit sufficient workability and compressive strength up to 136 MPa, and, when incorporating basalt fibers, a notable reduction in brittleness. The inner microstructure of basalt fibers was observed to be smooth, homogeneously distributed, and well adhered to the UHPC matrix. To ensure the desired long-lasting visual appearance of decorative UHPC and reduce future maintenance costs, a time-effective strategy for creating a light-emitting biomimetic surface design was introduced. The samples exhibit high surface roughness, characterized by micro to nano-scale voids, displaying superhydrophobicity with contact angles reaching up to 155.45°. This is accompanied by roll-off angles decreasing to 7.1°, highlighting their self-cleaning features. The self-luminescence feature showcased intense initial light emission, offering a potential energy-efficient nighttime lighting solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the shortcomings of oil well cement stone like high brittleness and susceptibility to cracking, basalt fiber (BF) can be incorporated to increase the toughness. However, the interfacial bonding between BF and the cement matrix is weak, which cannot give full play to the role of BF. Grafting graphite oxide (GO) onto BF surface enhances its hydrophilicity, increases surface roughness, and promotes interfacial interaction with the cement matrix. The role and mechanism of toughening of modified basalt fiber (MBF) were investigated by mechanical property tests and microscopic characterization. The results showed that: (1) MBF has superior hydrophilicity, a rougher surface, and higher interfacial shear strength compared to BF. (2) MBF can enhance the compressive strength of cement stone, when the MBF dosage is 0.4%, after 1, 3, 7 and 14 days of curing, the strength increased by 21.41%, 21.02%, 22.39% and 26.91%, respectively, compared with the blank sample. (3) According to microstructural characterisation, the addition of BF and MBF does not alter the hydration products of cement. The samples exhibited pore diameters predominantly ranging from 10 to 150 nm. The introduction of MBF resulted in a reduction of 11.01% in the porosity of the samples compared to the blank samples. The primary factor behind the improvement of cementite's mechanical characteristics by the fiber was the decrease in porosity.

The number of studies aimed at the characterization of reinforced lime-based mortars for use in the rehabilitation of historic buildings is still very small. This fact contrasts with the growing interest of the industry in these products as substitutes for cement mortars, both for their constructive advantages (compatibility requirements) and their lower cost (economic and environmental). For this reason, this study investigates the effect of basalt fiber length on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of reinforced natural hydraulic lime mortars and provides criteria for selecting optical blends to meet the various performance requirements for their use as building materials for traditional and contemporary structures. Specimens with 1% volume of basalt fibers and lengths of 6, 12, 18, and 24 mm have been tested. The results in fresh mortar show that increasing the fiber length decreases the consistency and bulk density, as well as increases the air content. Regarding the durability properties of hardened mortar, no direct relationship is observed between fiber length and the decrease in the water absorption coefficient of reinforced mortars. Nor is there a clear relationship between fiber length and the increase in Shore hardness and the decrease in adhesive strength in the reinforced mortars. On the contrary, for small lengths (up to 12 mm), there is a direct relationship between fiber length and the increase in other fundamental mechanical properties such as flexural and compressive strength. Based on the results obtained, a predictive model is proposed to determine the amplification factor of flexural and compressive strength as a function of fiber length.

Utilizing waste materials to produce sustainable concrete has substantial environmental implications. Furthermore, understanding the exceptional durability performance of ultra-high-performance concrete can minimize environmental impacts and retrofitting costs associated with structures. This study presents a systematic experimental investigation of eco-friendly ultra-high-performance self-compacting basalt fiber (BF)-reinforced concrete by incorporating waste nanomaterials, namely nano-wheat straw ash (NWSA), nano-sesame stalk ash (NSSA), and nano-cotton stalk ash (NCSA), as partial substitutes for Portland cement. The research evaluates the effects of varying dosages of nanomaterials (ranging from 5 to 15% as cement replacements) in the presence of BFs. Rheological properties were analyzed, including flow diameter, L-box, and V-funnel tests. Additionally, the study investigated compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths, load-displacement behavior, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and durability performance of the ultra-high-performance self-compacting basalt fiber (BF)-reinforced concrete (UHPSCFRC) samples subjected to sulfate attack, freeze-thaw cycles, autogenous shrinkage, and exposure to temperatures of 150, 300, 450, and 600°C. Microstructural characteristics of the mixtures were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The findings reveal that self-compacting properties can be achieved in the UHPSCFRC by incorporating NWSA, NSSA, and NCSA. The presence of 10% NWSA significantly improved the mechanical properties of the UHPSCFRC, exhibiting more than 27.55% increase in compressive strength, 17.36% increase in splitting tensile strength, and 21.5% increase in flexural strength compared to the control sample. The UHPSCFRC sample with 10% NWSA demonstrated superior performance across all extreme durability tests, surpassing both the control and other modified samples. XRD analysis revealed the development of microcracking at temperatures of 450 and 600°C due to the evaporation of absorbed and capillary water and the decomposition of ettringites.

This paper presents the modification results and effects of reinforcing green polyethylene terephthalate matrix composites (bioPET ECOZEN® T120) with basalt fibers of two different lengths. Five types of composites with two filling levels of 7.5 and 15 wt% of each fiber were produced by injection molding. Basic mechanical and processing properties, microstructure photographs, and reinforcement effects were analyzed and low- and high-cycle fatigue tests were performed. A significant increase in strength and stiffness was observed (especially for short fibers) proportional to the amount of fibers; longer fibers would also increase the deformation capacity of the composite. Furthermore, longer fibers would reduce relaxation processes (creep) but would not increase the dissipation capacity and mechanical energy. Predictability of fatigue effects enables optimal environmentally friendly materials to be designed.

In this study, the effect of the addition of silica particles modified with silane agent on the mechanical properties of basalt fibers‐epoxy composites were studied with the interlayer shear strength (ILSS) test. In the first stage, silica fume particles were synthesized using the sol‐gel method and surface modified using tri mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane agent. The results of the characterization showed that the synthesized powder is nanometric scale, amorphous and high purity. The surface‐modified silica fume particles (0, 2, 4, 6 wt.%) were distributed inside the epoxy matrix using a mechanical stirrer and ultrasonic waves. The hand lay‐up method was used to fabricate composite samples, then the effect of adding these particles on the mechanical properties of basalt fibers‐epoxy composites under interlayer shear loads was studied. The results of the research indicated that the addition of silica fume particles has a significant effect on improving the mechanical properties of basalt fibers‐epoxy composites, and the greatest improvement in mechanical properties was achieved by adding 4 wt.% of modified silica fume particles. In the case of composites without SF particles, the shear strength was 34 MPa, which was increased to 40 MPa by adding 4 wt.% of SF particles (about 20% improvement). On the other hand, results demonstrated that the optimal distribution of silica fume particles within the polymer matrix performs an impressive role in improving the mechanical response of composite samples. Highlights: The use of silica fume in the polymer composite is one of the research innovations.Silica fume is a super‐fine spherical powder that is collected as a by‐product.The silane is used to better distribute and optimal interaction of the silica fume in epoxy.Sol‐gel is one of the methods to synthesis of silica fume.ILSS test was done to investigate the strength of the interface of basalt fibers and epoxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the recovery and reuse of agricultural waste, the extraction and consumption of natural aggregates can be reduced to realize the sustainable development of the construction industry. Therefore, this paper utilizes the inexpensive, surplus, clean, and environmentally friendly waste agricultural material walnut shell to partially replace the fine aggregates in mortar to prepare environmentally friendly mortar. Considering the decrease in mortar performance after mixing walnut shells, basalt fibers of different lengths (3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm) and different dosages (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) were mixed in the mortar. The reinforcing effect of basalt fibers on walnut shell mortar was investigated by mechanical property tests, impact resistance tests, and freeze–thaw cycle tests. The damage prediction model was established based on the Weibull model and gray model (GM (1,1) model), and the model accuracy was analyzed. The experimental results showed that after adding basalt fibers, the compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens with a length of 6 mm and a doping amount of 0.2% increased by 13.98%, 48.15%, and 43.75%, respectively, and the fibers effectively improved the defects inside the walnut shell mortar. The R²s in the Weibull model were greater than 87.38%, and the average relative error between the predicted life of the impacts and the measured values was greater than 87.38%. The average relative errors in the GM (1,1) model ranged from 0.81% to 2.19%, and the accuracy analyses were all of the first order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations to reveal effecting of incorporating basalt fibers into a concrete matrix on the structural behavior and loading capacity of axially loaded short columns. Six volume fractions of chopped basalt fibers are added to the same concrete mixture to prepare six identically reinforced columns. The results illustrate that the bonding forces between microfilaments and matrix increase to provide good internal confinement for concrete ingredients, which enhances compressive strength and column loading capacity. The 0.3% basalt fiber awarded the best compressive strength, while 0.15% and 0.3% awarded the best load capacity to the column. The Addition of basalt fibers delays cracking to increase the cracking load by about 50% more than no fiber column, which indicates that it needs more energy to overcome the bonding strength between filaments and matrix. At the ultimate state, the loading capacity increases by 15% and 17% for 0.15% and 0.3% of basalt fibers and by 10% and 12% for 0.45% and 0.6% of basalt fiber. The 0.75% decreased compressive strength by about 6% but raised the column's ultimate load by 18%. Therefore, basalt fiber benefits the cracking load more than the maximum load. The finite element showed approaching the peak load in numerical and experimental results. The longitudinal rebars and ties do not yield at the ultimate state. Increasing the reinforcement ratio raises loading capacity while lowering the yield stress of bars minimizes the maximum load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several researches are going on the hybridization of natural composites by adding SiC as a filler and epoxy due to its higher thermal and physical properties, biodegradable, economic and excellent mechanical properties as compared to synthetic fibers such as glass, Kevlar etc. Jute fiber is an important natural fiber which is abundantly found in India, whereas Basalt fiber is obtained from basalt rock, which is also present in India in a high percentage. Jute fibers are used in geotextiles and agrotextiles for sustainable development in agriculture. The Eco-friendly basalt fibers are used in agriculture and biological applications for soil improvement and fabrication of stucco fireproof netting for animal housings etc. In this paper, basalt and jute fiber reinforced green composites were fabricated using hand layup technique by addition of SiC as filler material in different wt% (0%, 5%, and 10%). The properties of composite material such as impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength along with the water absorption test were investigated as per the ASTM standards. Significant improvements were obtained in their mechanical behavior by addition of different wt% of SiC. SEM images showed improved microstructures of green composites with less fractured surfaces at 10% addition of SiC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's sustainable development policy in Europe, which is driven by concerns about the greenhouse effect and environmental protection, mandates a reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The cement industry and steel mills that produce reinforcing bars are among the largest and most emissions-intensive sectors emitting CO2 into the atmosphere. This article analyzes the possibility of achieving significant reductions in CO2 emissions by using basalt bars (BFRP) and glass bars (GFRP) in concrete structures, and—in the case of concrete—by using cement with the addition of metakaolinite and zeolite. There is a lack of literature reports on whether modifying concrete with the additions of metakaolinite and zeolite as substitutes for part of the cement affects the adhesion of FRP bars to concrete. It can be assumed, however, that improving the microstructure of concrete also improves the contact zone between the bar and the concrete. The aim of this research is to fill the aforementioned gap in the literature data by determining how the presence of metakaolinite and zeolite affects the adhesion of reinforcing bars to concrete and testing selected properties of hardened concrete. The test samples were prepared following the appropriate beam test procedure. The obtained results made it possible to perform a comparative analysis of reference samples and those with metakaolinite and zeolite additions. The research showed that introducing active pozzolanic additives in the form of metakaolinite and zeolite into concrete improved adhesion stress values by approximately 20% for glass GFRP bars and 15% for basalt BFRP bars, especially in the destruction phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article concerns research on the use of two types of coatings (parylene C and TiO2-ZrO2-Al) in multilayer composites with potential use in metallurgical protective gloves to improve their insulation against contact heat and radiation heat. To evaluate the thermal safety of the glove user, the composites were examined under the conditions of exposure to contact heat (using a heating cylinder, according to EN ISO 12127-1) and radiant heat (using a copper plate calorimeter, according to EN ISO 6942). Moreover, heat transfer through composites exposed to the heat of a hot plate was examined using thermography. The experimental studies were supported by heat transfer simulations through 3D models of composites. The contact heat method showed that composites achieved insulation against contact heat for both contact temperatures Tc, but composites with parylene C have a longer tt of 9 s (for Tc = 100 °C) and 7 s (250 °C) compared to composites with TiO2-ZrO2-Al. The radiant heat method showed that composites achieved the fourth (highest) level of RHTI24 under exposure to a radiant heat flux of 20 kW m−2. The modeling results showed that the parylene C coating increases the thermal barrier of the composite by approximately 10%, while the TiO2-ZrO2-Al coating increases it by 2%. The applied research techniques demonstrated the usefulness of using both types of coatings in the design of metallurgical protective gloves based on multilayer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The preparation of basalt and S‐glass fiber‐reinforced poly(dicyclopentadiene) via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization using a thermally latent pre‐catalyst, that is, Mo(N‐3,5‐Me2‐C6H3)(= CH‐(2‐MeO‐C6H4))(IMes)(OTf)2 (1, IMes = 1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene; OTf = SO3CF3) is reported. Complementarily, the non‐latent first‐generation Grubbs initiator RuCl2(PPh3)2(CHPh) (2) is used. 2 can be rendered latent by the addition of ppm amounts of triphenylphosphine (PPh3). Both 1 and 2/PPh3 allow the realization of thermally latent single‐component systems with sufficient pot life that do not require pre‐mixing of the individual components shortly before use. The prepared fiber matrix composites are characterized in terms of mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability.

The marine net cage is an essential facility and equipment for deep-water aquaculture in China, and its hydrodynamic characteristics are directly related to its operational stability. This paper established a finite element model for a marine net cage with three-layer and employed a fluid-structure interaction method to simulate the hydrodynamic characteristics of the net cage under the frontal flow conditions of a level 17 typhoon. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the variation patterns in the hydrodynamic characteristics of the net cage with and without a netting structure was conducted. The results showed that under the frontal flow of the typhoon, the main areas of stress concentration in the net cage were the lateral support points of the bait chamber, the upmost walkway board connecting pipes on the windward side, and the cross-points of the mid-level load-bearing structure. When the net cage was equipped with a netting structure, the pendulum distance decreased, but the yawing motion intensified. In other words, the netting structure contributed to the vertical stability of the net cage but increased its yawing motion intensity. With the inclusion of the netting structure, due to the improved vertical stability of the frame, the maximum stress at the lateral support points of the bait chamber, the upmost walkway board connecting pipes on the windward side, decreased by 5.1% and 3.2% respectively, while the maximum stress at the cross-points of the mid-level load-bearing structure exhibited little change. However, the maximum stress on the windward side of the mid-lower level connecting pipes decreased by 8.7%.

This research aims to develop fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) with enhanced fire resistance, which can be particularly useful for the transport industry (e.g., aviation, automotive, and train production). The fire retardation was achieved through epoxy matrix modification with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCTP). First, the fire-resistant and mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix filled with different HCTP contents (4.8, 7.2, and 9.5 wt.%) were studied to select the most effective HCTP content for the impregnation of FRC. Then, glass, basalt, and carbon fiber fabrics were impregnated with epoxy filled with 7.2 wt.% of HCTP, and the fire resistance, flexural, and interlaminar fracture properties were studied to select the most effective HCTP-modified type of fiber reinforcement based on the test results. It was concluded that basalt fiber impregnated with epoxy filled with HCTP could be selected as the most effective reinforcement type, allowing excellent mechanical and flame-retardant properties.

This research examines the performance of concrete reinforced with different sizes and combinations of basalt fibers (BF). Test parameters comprised the base concrete grade [normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC)] and BF configuration (short with length of 20 mm, long with length of 50 mm, and hybrid combination at ratio of 1:1). The BF volume fraction (νf) was 1.0%. The tests included slump, compression, splitting, flexure, bulk resistivity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). The base concrete grade had no effect on the slump reduction, splitting and flexural strength gains caused by BF when short BF were used. The slump reduction caused by BF was aggravated when long or hybrid BF were used. The use of BF slightly reduced the compressive strength by up to 13%. Short BF resulted in a minor increase of up to 8% in the splitting and flexural strengths, irrespective of the base concrete grade. Hybrid BF resulted in similar or higher splitting and flexural strength gains, except in one case where long BF were more effective. The splitting tensile strength gain caused by long BF was more pronounced for NSC (25%) than HSC (14%). NSC mixtures exhibited higher flexural strength gains (18–20%) than those of their HSC counterparts (10–16%), when long or hybrid BF were used. The use of BF improved the bulk resistivity but had no effect on UPV. Simulation models were developed for the tested concrete prisms. A new tensile softening law was established for BF-reinforced concrete based on inverse analysis of test data.

In order to solve the defect of insufficient performance of the single fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bars. The basalt fibers and glass fibers are prepared into the basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars (B/G hybrid FRP bars) in this paper. The failure mechanism of basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars is analyzed by the finite element method. The main failure factors include not only fiber breakage but also the separation of the interface between the two fibers. The mechanical properties of basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars in the alkaline environment are predicted by simulation. The tensile properties, elongation properties, pseudo ductility stage length, and yield stress reduction of basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars under different fiber volume ratios are investigated by tensile tests. The results show that when the volume ratio of glass fiber to basalt fiber is 7:3, the ultimate strain reaches 2.57%. When the volume ratio of glass fiber to basalt fiber is 9:1, the ultimate strain reaches 3.06%, with a difference of 0.49%. In addition, the yield stress reduction stage in basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars is also affected by the volume ratio of hybrid fibers. When the volume ratio of glass fibers to basalt fibers is 9:1 and 7:3, the difference in ultimate tensile strength and the difference in yield stress reduction stage of the two are 185.85 MPa and 145.09 MPa, respectively. In addition, the optimal volume ratio range suitable for different situations is summarized in the study. When glass fiber accounts for 68.9–100% of the total integral number of basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars, the tensile and extension properties of basalt-glass fibers hybrid FRP composite bars have different degrees of change.

AbstractThis research work aims to experimentally evaluate the influence of resin modification using Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties viz. flexural, tensile and Inter Laminar Shear Strength (ILSS) of basalt reinforced epoxy composites based on ASTM standards. The laminates were fabricated using a combination of hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques. Five different weight proportions of TiO2 nanoparticles were considered ranging from 1% to 5% with an increment of 1% by weight. To assess the quality of fabrication, void fractions were evaluated and were found to be in the range of 1.17% to 3.98%. The mechanical properties of TiO2 modified epoxy basalt composites were compared with composites without any TiO2 nanoparticles in it. The results indicated a significant improvement in the mechanical properties due to the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. When compared to samples without TiO2, the highest mechanical properties were observed in samples having 4% TiO2 nanoparticles wherein an increase of around 60%, 40% and 70% was seen in flexural (526 MPa), tensile (420 MPa) and ILSS (30.6 MPa), respectively. A dip was observed in all the properties with further increase in nanoparticle content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to analyse the fractured surface for dispersion of the nanoparticles and the failure mechanisms. SEM micrographs confirmed uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles while the major failure mechanisms observed were brittle fracture and fiber-matrix debonding. Results suggest that such composites can be used as a material in engineering applications wherein the loading is light to moderate.

Continuous basalt fiber is an emerging high-performance foundational material that can be widely used in fields such as road construction, energy conservation and environmental protection, aerospace, military equipment, and marine ships. However, it is difficult for existing processing techniques to form continuous basalt architectures with three-dimensional (3D) complex shapes. In addition, the basalt fibers in the architectures are filled with polymers, which cannot fully utilize the performance of basalt fibers. Therefore, here, we report the fabrication of continuous basalt fibers with fireproof and thermal insulation performance through the combination of an Additive manufacturing (AM) manipulator, two-step precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) processes. Using SiOC ceramics to fill between continuous basalt fibers will help improve the architectures' fire and thermal insulation performance. The continuous basalt fibers coated with thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) were processed into 3D architectures under the action of the laser. Through the vacuum infiltration of the SiOC precursor and debinding process, TPU in the 3D architectures was removed. In order to reduce the structural defects generated by the first PIP process, the final part with fireproof and thermal insulation performance was fabricated through the second PIP process. We further demonstrated the final part with excellent fireproof and thermal insulation performance. The final part had a shell temperature of 788.8 ℃ and an internal temperature of about 50 ℃ under the flame spray gun for the 20 s. By replacing polymers with inorganic materials, our basalt architectures exhibit their potential applications in military, aviation, and civil fireproof and thermal insulation equipment.

In this study, basalt fiber having two types of diameters (16 μm and 25 μm) was selected and added to asphalt mastic and asphalt mixtures using different fiber proportions. The influences of fiber diameters and proportions on the properties of asphalt mastic and mixtures were studied. The adhesion behavior of the fiber-asphalt mastic (FAM) interface was evaluated by a monofilament pullout test, and the rheological properties of FAM were evaluated by temperature sweep, linear amplitude sweep, and bending beam rheological tests. In addition, the high-temperature stability, intermediate and low-temperature cracking resistance, and water stability of fiber-modified mixtures were studied by wheel tracking, ideal cracking, a low-temperature bending beam, and a water-immersed Marshall test. The results showed that the interface adhesion behavior between 16 μm fiber and asphalt mastic was more likely in the fiber failure mode at both −12 °C and 25 °C. Adding basalt fiber can significantly improve the high-temperature and fatigue properties of asphalt mastics. Moreover, 16 μm fiber had a better modifying effect on asphalt mastic than 25 μm fiber. The same enhancement trend can be observed in asphalt mixtures. Basalt fibers with 16 μm diameters can improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures more significantly. In addition, 16 μm fiber could sharply enhance the cracking performance of the mixtures at intermediate and low temperatures, while the enhancing effect of 25 μm fiber on the mixture is insignificant, though both diameters of the fibers have a minor effect on the water stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Studies on the dynamic viscosity of composites based on a two-component polyurethane compound with fillers in the form of shungite, talc, and basalt fibers (3 vol %) with addition of dichloromethane as an organic solvent (10 vol %) are presented. Based on the results of the studies, it is revealed that the most rational composites for casting into elastic molds are the composites containing shungite and talc as fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium sulfate based top layers in timber‐concrete composite ceillings For ecological reasons, the timber‐concrete composite construction method with notched connection was optimized by replacing the conventional reinforced concrete with a top layer based on calcium sulfate and reinforcement made of basalt fibers. In this paper, the basic properties of calcium sulfate as a binder are first explained, followed by experimental component tests investigating the load‐bearing behavior by means of shear and bending tests, drawing a comparison with conventional reinforced concrete top layers. As a result, comparable load‐bearing capacities and stiffness were achieved compared to steel‐reinforced concrete top layers. Long‐term bending tests over a period of about two years showed approximately equal deflections. Finally, special features of the practical construction application are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt fibers (BF)-reinforced double-layered resin composite with excellent absorption performance in X band (8.2–12.4 GHz) has been designed, choosing carbon black (CB) and nano-Fe3O4 as absorbent for absorbing layer and matching layer, respectively. The electromagnetic parameters of the composites were measured by vector network analyzer using waveguide method. The calculated result suggests that an increased amount of absorbent could significantly improve the microwave absorbability of the single-layered composites in the measured frequency. For double-layered composites, the optimum microwave absorption performance can be obtained by tailoring the electromagnetic parameters and thicknesses of each layer. The minimum reflection loss of −43.97 dB and full X band effective absorption can be achieved when the thickness of the matching layer (BF/Fe3O410) and absorbing layer (BF/CB7.5) were 0.3 mm and 2.7 mm, respectively. Therefore, utilization of dielectric loss, magnetic loss absorbent and BF/resin double-layered structure has designed flexibility, and contributes to promote the development of high-performance microwave absorbing composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt fibers (BF)-reinforced double-layered resin composite with excellent absorption performance in X band (8.2–12.4 GHz) has been designed, choosing carbon black (CB) and nano-Fe3O4 as absorbent for absorbing layer and matching layer, respectively. The electromagnetic parameters of the composites were measured by vector network analyzer using waveguide method. The calculated result suggests that an increased amount of absorbent could significantly improve the microwave absorbability of the single-layered composites in the measured frequency. For double-layered composites, the optimum microwave absorption performance can be obtained by tailoring the electromagnetic parameters and thicknesses of each layer. The minimum reflection loss of −43.97 dB and full X band effective absorption can be achieved when the thickness of the matching layer (BF/Fe3O410) and absorbing layer (BF/CB7.5) were 0.3 mm and 2.7 mm, respectively. Therefore, utilization of dielectric loss, magnetic loss absorbent and BF/resin double-layered structure has designed flexibility, and contributes to promote the development of high-performance microwave absorbing composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze strength properties and low-cycle dynamic tests of composite materials modified with glass and basalt fibers. Biopolyamide 4.10 was used as the matrix, and the fiber contents were 15, 30, and 50% by weight. Static tensile tests, impact tests, and determination of mechanical hysteresis loops were carried out as strength tests. The length of the fibers in the produced composites and their processing properties were determined. The composite materials were compared with commercially available glass fiber-reinforced composites with 30 and 50% fiber contents. The results showed that such composites can successfully replace composite materials based on petroleum-based polymeric materials, providing high strength properties and reducing the negative environmental impact by using renewable sources. Composites with 30% basalt fiber composition were characterized by higher tensile strength by about 60% compared to commercially available composites with 30% glass fiber composition and an almost doubly increased Young's modulus. Increasing the content of basalt fibers to 50% results in a further increase in strength properties. Despite the lower tensile strength compared to polyamide 6 with 50% glass fiber content, basalt fibers provided an approximately 10% higher modulus of elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is focused on the development of single and hybrid fibers reinforced intumescent fire-resistant coating for steel protection. The methodologies were developed to measure the heat transfer, thermal stability, char expansion rate, chemical bonding and composition of char, residual mass percentage as well as morphology of an intumescent coating. By incorporating 2 wt.% of single basalt fibers in the intumescent coating, the substrate temperature remained stable at 184 oC after 60 minutes of fire test. On the other hand, the hybridization of E glass with the basalt fiber IFRC-BE55-12 in intumescent coating resulted in higher substrate temperature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) confirmed IFRC-B2.5–12 formulation had a compact and dense char. The thermogravimetric analyses results also revealed that thermal stability of the fibers reinforced intumescent formulations was improved and the highest residual mass of 38.7% percentage was obtained for IFRC-B2.5–12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined use of silica fume (SF) and single and hybrid-basalt (BA) fibers can be a prominent option in diminishing the degradations of concrete after freeze–thaw (F–T) effects. This study investigated slump, mass loss (ML), abrasion loss (AL), residual compressive strength (RCS), and residual splitting tensile strength (RSTS) of SF and single- and hybrid-BA fiber-reinforced concrete after F–T cycles. The results demonstrated that although using SF and BA fibers together adversely affected the workability of the mixtures, they significantly improved the samples' RCS and RSTS capacities. Besides, after F–T cycles, SF alone and with BA fibers are very efficient in reducing the AL of the samples. However, while using SF alone was somewhat effective in reducing the ML losses of the pieces, its use with single- and hybrid-BA fibers remained negligible. Furthermore, the hybrid use of BA fibers is more efficient in recovering concrete samples' workability and AL, RCS, and RSTS capacities than the single use. Compared to room conditions, after the 180 F–T cycles, the AL of the R0 control sample increased by 29.24%, while the SF and BA fiber-added R1–R7 samples ranged from 7.11% to 10.17%. Additionally, after the 180 F–T cycles, while the RSTS capacity of R0 control concrete decreased by 27.06%, the reduction in RSTS capacity of R1–R7 BA fiber-reinforced concrete ranged from 13.42% to 23.63%. This study is expected to constitute an important reference to the literature on how SF pozzolanic admixture and BA fiber additives play a role in improving the behavior of concrete against F–T cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]