Development of basalt fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites and effect of PE‐g‐MA on composites

The thermoplastic matrix composites have gained great importance in last three decades. The chopped basalt fiber (mineral fiber) is considered to be a good fiber due to excellent properties as potential reinforcement of composite materials. In this work, composites of chopped basalt fiber (6 mm) with thermoplastic material Nylon‐6 (Polyamide‐6) were prepared and its mechanical and morphological properties were evaluated for automobile applications. The melt blending was carried out in corotating twin‐screw extruder and injection‐molded test samples were prepared for the analysis. The test samples of composite without coupling agent prepared by varying the loading of basalt fiber content of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by weight and with coupling agent composite loading of Nylon‐6 and basalt fiber content were kept constant and the coupling agent (PE‐g‐MA) loading were changed as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 phr. The Mechanical and SEM properties were evaluated. From the test results, it was observed that the mechanical properties were improved with increasing coupling agent ratio. SEM images show good dispersion and adhesion of matrix and reinforcement. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2798–2805, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers