The Delamination Behaviour of Basalt Fibre-Reinforced In Situ-Polymerisable Acrylic and Epoxy Composites: A Sustainable Solution for Marine Applications

Mohamad Alsaadi (), Tomas Flanagan, Daniel P. Fitzpatrick and Declan M. Devine
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Mohamad Alsaadi: PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
Tomas Flanagan: ÉireComposites Teo., An Choill Rua, Indreabhán, H91 Y923 Galway, Ireland
Daniel P. Fitzpatrick: PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
Declan M. Devine: PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: This research paper employed novel sustainable alternative materials to reduce the environmental impact of thermoset/synthetic fibre composites. The effect of seawater hydrothermal ageing at 45 °C for 45 and 90 days on the physical and interlaminar fracture toughness (mode I and mode II) of a semi-unidirectional non-crimp basalt fibre (BF)-reinforced acrylic matrix and epoxy matrix composites was investigated. Optical and scanning electron microscopes were used to describe the fracture and interfacial failure mechanisms. The results show that the BF/Elium composite exhibited higher fracture toughness properties compared to the BF/Epoxy composite. The results of the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness values for the BF/Elium composite were 1280 J/m 2 and 2100 J/m 2 , which are 14% and 56% higher, respectively, than those of the BF/Epoxy composite. The result values for both composites were normalised with respect to the density of each composite laminate. The saturated moisture content and diffusion coefficient values of seawater-aged samples at 45 °C and room temperature for the BF/Elium and BF/Epoxy composites were analysed. Both composites exhibited signs of polymer matrix decomposition and fibre surface degradation under the influence of seawater hydrothermal ageing, resulting in a reduction in the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness values. Enhancement was observed in mode I fracture toughness under hydrothermal ageing, particularly for the BF/Epoxy composite, due to matrix plasticisation and fibre bridging.

Keywords: polymer composites; thermoplastics; thermosets; delamination resistance; hydrothermal ageing; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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