Mechanical, thermal and microstructural analysis of Basalt Fabric composite with interfacial reinforcement by electrostatic self-assembly of silicon carbide nanoparticles

This research article explores the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of Basalt Fabric composites that have been improved by incorporating Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticles using electrostatic self-assembly. The study seeks to investigate the efficacy of this interfacial reinforcement technique in enhancing the characteristics of Basalt Fabric composites. The methods utilized in this study involved the creation of composite samples by combining SiC nanoparticles with different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 gram per liter of NH2 solution). This was achieved through the process of electrostatic self-assembly of SiC nanoparticles and the use of the vacuum bagging technique. Thorough testing, which included evaluating the strength and flexibility of the material through tensile and flexural tests, was carried out in accordance with the standards set by ASTM. Additionally, a detailed analysis of the material’s microstructure was conducted using FESEM and FTIR techniques. The results demonstrated that the composite containing 0.5 grams of SiC nanoparticles per liter displayed exceptional mechanical characteristics, exhibiting notable enhancements in both tensile strength and modulus when compared to other compositions. The microstructural analysis verified that the nanoparticles were evenly distributed throughout the matrix and had a robust interfacial bonding. The study concludes that using electrostatic self-assembly of SiC nanoparticles to reinforce the interface is an effective method for improving the performance of Basalt Fabric composites. This method shows promise for use in different engineering fields.