Engineering the interfacial adhesion in basalt/epoxy composites by plasma polymerization. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seghini, M.C.; Touchard, F.; Sarasini, F.; Cech, V.; Chocinski-Arnault, L.; Mellier, D.; Tirillò, J.; Bracciale, M.P.; Zvonek, M.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 122(2019)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: A. Natural fibres -- B. Interface/interphase -- B. Fibre/matrix bond -- D. CT analysis; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: In an attempt to improve mechanical properties of basalt fibre/epoxy composites, the present work provides a comparison between the effects of a commercial coupling agent, a thermal de-sizing treatment and a plasma polymerization process on the fibre/matrix interfacial strength. The different basalt fibres were characterized in terms of surface morphology, by FE-SEM observations, and chemical composition, performing FT-IR analysis. The interfacial adhesion has been investigated by single fibre fragmentation test on single filament composite samples. The plasma polymerization process was able to produce a homogeneous tetravinylsilane (pp-TVS) coating on the surface of basalt fibres, which resulted in a significant increase in the fibre/matrix adhesion. The surface roughness of the untreated and treated basalt fibres has been measured by AFM and a relationship between the surface roughness and the fibre/matrix adhesion quality was found. High-resolution microtomography (µ-CT) has been used to support the analysis of the damage modes during fragmentation tests.