Long-term salt-water durability of GNPs reinforced basalt-epoxy multiscale composites for marine applications

In this paper, the corrosion behavior and wear performance of basalt/epoxy composites exposed to salt-water were experimentally studied. Besides, the impact of graphene nanoplatelet modification of epoxy matrix on the water absorption and wear performance of the multi-scale composite were also investigated. Results showed that GNPs modification reduced the water absorption by 50% and the coefficient of friction by 19% with less reduction in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity at the end of the 6th month. A detailed water absorption/ wear/corrosion mechanism is given as supported by a systematic characterization.

Automated summary

The corrosion behavior and wear performance of basalt/epoxy composites exposed to salt-water were studied experimentally, as well as the impact of graphene nanoplatelet modification of the epoxy matrix on the composite's water absorption and wear performance. The results showed that the modification with GNPs reduced water absorption and coefficient of friction, while causing a smaller decrease in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity after the 6th month.