Enhanced thermal stability and impact strength of phenolic formaldehyde resin using acid-treated basalt scales

In this study, phenolic formaldehyde (PF) resin-based composites were prepared using basalt scale (BS) as a reinforcing agent via a melting-blending method. The BS surface was treated with hydrochloric acid, and the surface properties were characterized using thermal field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Moreover, the influence of acid-treated BS (H-BS) content on the thermal properties, flexural properties, impact strength, and morphology of PF/H-BS composites was investigated. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of the composites increased significantly with the increasing H-BS content. The impact strength tests indicated that the impact strength of the composite with 15 wt% H-BS was 0.66 kJ/m(2), which is 153% higher than that of pristine PF. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the PF/H-BS composites exhibit rough morphology with numerous microcracks.

Automated summary

In this study, phenolic formaldehyde (PF) resin-based composites were prepared using basalt scale (BS) as a reinforcing agent. The surface of BS was treated with hydrochloric acid to improve its properties. The results showed that the thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and impact strength of the composites increased with increasing BS content.