“Mechanical Characterization of Basalt Fibre ReinforcedPolymeric Composite’’ Department of Mechanical Engineering

PILLAI HOC COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

AND TECHNOLOGY RASAYANI– 410207

Mechanical Characterization of Basalt Fibre Reinforced

Polymeric Composite
Sanjog Sakpal Viraj Mahagaonkar
Mechanical Department Mechanical Department
Pillai Hoc College Of Engg & Pillai Hoc College of Engg &
Tech. Rasayani Tech. Rasayani

Pranit Malkar Rupesh Jadhav Dr. Suhas Uthale

Mechanical Department Mechanical Department Prof. Of Mechanical Department
Pillai Hoc College Of Engg & Pillai Hoc College Of Engg & Pillai HOC College of Engg.
Tech. Rasayani Tech. Rasayani & Tech. Rasayani

and CF. Therefore, basalt fibre-reinforced polymers (BFRPs)

ABSTRACT-This present study demonstrates the applicability of
basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) composite materials in
thermal shielding. Basalt fibers are produced from natural,
sustainable sources and obtain comparable mechanical
performance to commercial glass fibers. In addition to their
mechanical strength, BFRPs have excellent chemical and heat
resistance. Basalt fibers tend to have a higher thermal stability
than their competitor glass fibers. The heat resistance of basalt
fibers derives from the volcanic origin of the raw material basalt
gabbro. These favorable features make BFRP composites an
attractive group of materials for application in several industries
Keywords—UTM, CAD, FRP,ASTM.
I.INTRODUCTION
Basalt fibre (BF) is a high-performance inorganic silicate
fibre made from natural basalt ore by high-temperature
melting and drawing, and it is a kind of green fibre that does
not create environmental pollution or pose a cancer risk.
Compared with traditional glass fibre (GF), BF has better
mechanical properties, as well as high-temperature and
corrosion resistance. Compared with carbon fibre (CF), BF
has a lower cost and is one of the best choices to replace GF
have been widely. Next, we will conduct a series of
mechanical tests on the specimens, including tensile,
compression, and flexural tests, to evaluate the composite's
stiffness, strength, and failure mechanisms.
Background
The use of fibre reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites has
gained significant attention in recent years due to their high
specific strength and stiffness, corrosion resistance, and
design flexibility. Basalt fibre, a type of natural volcanic rock,
has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional synthetic
fibres due to its high strength and excellent thermal and
chemical resistance. The mechanical characterization of basalt
fibre reinforced polymeric composite is essential for
understanding its behaviour and optimizing its performance in
different applications. In this project, we aim to investigate the
mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced polymeric
composite through experimental testing and numerical
analysis. The project will begin by manufacturing basalt fibre
reinforced polymeric composite specimens using a
compression moulding process. The specimens will be
designed and fabricated with different fibre volume fractions
and orientations to investigate the effect.
II.NEED AND SCOPE

In modern years, both industrial and academic world are

focusing their attention toward the development of sustainable
composites, reinforced with natural fibers. In particular, among
the natural fibers that can be used as reinforcement, the basalt
ones represent the most interesting for their properties. The aim
of this review is to illustrate the results of research on this
interesting subject. In the introduction, mechanical, thermal
and chemical properties of basalt fiber have been reviewed.
Natural fibers are now considered as a serious alternative
to glass fibers for use in composite materials as reinforcing
agents. The advantages of natural fibers over glass fibers are
their low cost, low density, high strength-to-weight ratio,
resistance to breakage during processing, low energy content
and recyclability. Since they are waste, the utilization of
natural fibers as reinforcement for polyester composite is a best
Eco reusing technique. Natural fibers can be divided into two
groups: natural fibers, which are available in a fiber form, and
fibers with a natural origin that are artificially produced from
natural raw materials. Currently, glass fiber is the typical
applications such as pultrusion, pressure moulding, filament
winding and so on. Our resin is known for exceptional
mechanical, good fibre impregnation and thermal & dynamic
properties. Also, the epoxy resin LY 556 is having a low
tendency to crystallize, that’s why it is preferred for aircraft
and aerospace adhesives.
Resins LY 556 Mixing Ratio 1:10 (1-gram resin10 gram
hardener)
Epoxy Resins
2. Hardener
The Araldite HY 951 Epoxy Hardener is mixed with epoxy
resin for coating or encapsulating electronic components which
work at low voltages. This hardener is a clear liquid with a flash
point of 110 degrees centigrade, mix ratio 100:10 and specific
gravity is 0.98 gm/cm3 at 25 degrees centigrade. The hardener
is capable of producing medium-viscosity adhesives in order
to bond ceramics, glasses, rubbers, plastics and other
substrates. Mix this hardener with resin thoroughly at room
temperature. You can easily apply this hardener over the large
surfaces of substrates.
reinforcing material for polymer composites. Carbon fiber is
used when there are more specialized and greater requirements
(e.g., space technology, the aircraft industry, military
applications and sports).
III.MATERIAL SELECTION
1.Epoxy resin
The epoxy resin LY 556 is extensively used as a reinforcing
material due to its medium viscosity and chemicals resistivity.
Property of this resin can easily be modified within wide
limits with the use of fillers and hardeners. The composition
of this resin is based on bisphenol-a which makes it suitable
for high-performance frp composite
Hardener
3.Basalt fibre sheet
Basalt fiber is a material made from extremely fine fibers of
basalt, which is composed of the mineral’s plagioclase,
pyroxene, and olivine. It is similar to fiberglass, having better
physic mechanical properties than fiberglass, but being
significantly cheaper than carbon fiber.
Basalt fibers are produced from basalt rocks melting them and
converting the melt into fibers. Basalts are rocks of igneous
origin. The main energy consumption for the preparation of
basalt raw materials to produce of fibers is made in natural
conditions. Basalt continuous, staple and super-thin fibers are
produced and used. Basalt continuous fibers (BCF) are used
for the production of reinforcing materials and composite
products, fabrics and non-woven materials. Basalt staple
fibers - for the production of thermal insulation materials.
Basalt super thin fibers (BSTF) - for the production of high-
quality heat and sound insulating and fireproof materials.
Hand Layup
Hand lay-up technique is the simplest method of composite
processing. At first, dry fibers in the form of woven, knitted,
stitched, or bond fabrics are manually placed in the mold, and
a brush is used to apply the resin matrix on the reinforcing
material. Subsequently, hand rollers are used to roll the wet
composite to ensure an enhanced interaction between the
reinforcement and the matrix, to facilitate a uniform resin
distribution, and to obtain the required thickness. Finally, the
laminates are left to cure under standard atmospheric
conditions. This process divided into four steps;
1. Mold preparation
2. Gel coting
3. Lay up
4. Curing

Basalt fibre sheet

IV. METHODOLOGY

Hand Lay-Up Process

Preparation Of Cad Model and Hand Drawing

Layout Design Procedure

CAD Model
Manufacturing Technique
 Specimen at angle (30°,45°,90°)

V.EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP

Tension and Flexural testing setup

The basic mechanical properties of materials are generally

determined by flexural loading. the tests are carried out,
according to the ASTM specification on basalt fiber
reinforced plastic (BFRP) specimen flexural test. The
ASTM standard specimen were subjected to uni-axial
tension in a universal testing machine (UTM). The UTM
Hand Drawing
fixture for gripping the specimen was design to make sure
Specimen Preparation for Mechanical Characterization that the loading direction passes through the center line
Studies of test specimen.
The capacity of the UTM machine is 1200 KN
BFRP laminate of size 300*300 mm2 are fabricated with Weight of the UTM machine is 115 Kg
required layer of bidirectional basalt fibre with LY556
epoxy matrix as the binding medium and cured at ambient
temperature for 24 hours, after that composite laminate
were cut according to American society for testing and
material (ASTM) standard and the size of test specimen
was verified.ASTM D7264 standard flexural test
specimens of size 180*18*3 mm3 were cut from the
fabricated laminate using a water jet cutting machine to
avoid machining defect and to maintain good surface
finishing.

Features of specimen’s table

Laminate Thickness Width Span
cutting (mm) (mm) Length
angle (mm)
Universal Testing Machine
30° 2.387 mm 15.03 38.0 mm
mm
45° 2.533 mm 15.09 40.0 mm
VI.RESULT AND DISCUSSION
mm
90° 2.396 mm 15.00 38.0 mm Result of Characterization Basalt Fiber Composite
mm
Flexural Test

The flexure test specimens are carried out in accordance

with ASTM D7264 standard.
The maximum load of 343N was observed for 30⁰
orientation of basalt fiber reinforced polymeric composite.
The flexural strength for 30⁰ orientations was observed as
229Mpa. The flexural strain was observed 3.75℅.
The maximum load of 290N was observed for 45⁰
orientation of basalt fiber reinforced polymeric composite.
The flexural strength for 45⁰ orientations was observed as
180Mpa. The flexural strain was observed 6.52℅.
The maximum load of 498N was observed for 90⁰ Flexure strength and flexures modules for 90⁰ basalt fiber
orientation of basalt fiber reinforced polymeric composite. composite orientation is 40% and 60% as compared to 45⁰
The flexural strength for 90⁰ orientations was observed as
330Mpa. The flexural strain was observed 3.84℅. basalt fiber composite orientation respectively.

VII.CONCLUSION
A recent increase in the use of ecofriendly, natural fibers as
reinforcement for the fabrication of lightweight, low-cost
polymer composites can be seen globally. One such
material of interest currently being extensively used is
basalt fiber, which is cost-effective and offers exceptional
properties over glass fibers.
The prominent advantages of these composites include high
specific mechanic physio chemical properties,
biodegradability, and non-abrasive qualities.
The results of this project will contribute to a better
understanding of the mechanical properties of basalt fiber
reinforced polymeric composite materials and their
Flexural Stress-strain response potential use in various applications.
Basalt fiber reinforced polymeric composite can be used for
Flexural Properties structural application like automobile and aerospace
application.
Flexural Properties Table

Raw Data Measured Value

Laminate
Test
Cutting Test Ultimate Flexural Flexural
Span Flexural Method
Angle Thickness Width Speed Load N Modulus Strain
Length Strength
mm mm mm/min Mpa %
mm MPa

ASTM
30° 2.387 15.03 38.0 1.01 343 229 9825.61 3.75
D7264
ASTM
45° 2.533 15.09 40.0 1.05 290 180 5326.76 6.52
D7264
ASTM
90° 2.396 15.00 38.0 1.00 498 330 13336.0 3.84
D7264

Discussion on Flexure Properties of Basalt Fibre Sheet

Flexure properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymeric VIII.REFRENCES

composite for 0⁰ and 90⁰ basalt fiber composite orientation
was observed as 330 MPa which is higher than flexure
properties at 30⁰ and 45⁰ orientation.
Flexure modules of basalt fiber reinforced polymeric
composite for 0⁰ and 90⁰ basalt fiber composite orientation
was observed as 1336.0 GPa which is than flexure modules
properties at 30⁰ and 45⁰ orientation.
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