EFFECT OF BASALT REINFORCEMENT TYPE AND CONTENT ON THE ABRASIVE WEAR BEHAVIOUR OF POLYMER COMPOSITES

摘要

Basalt reinforced composites are quite recently (during last 20 years) developed materials having low density, high specific strength, good frictional, heat and chemical resistance. Natural mineral based fibres are potential alternatives to glass fibres for their strength and to carbon fibres for their lower cost. In order to use basalt reinforced composites for lightweight applications, it is necessary to perform wear characterisation. Basalt fibre, powder and scales reinforced, unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin composites were fabricated with various ratios of basalt and polymeric matrixes. The tribological behaviour of basalt reinforced composites was determined according to the ASTM G132 standard test method for pin abrasion testing. Results showed that type and content of reinforcement have a significant influence on the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. Scanning electron microscope images are given to illustrate the wear mechanism of composites.