Mechanical Degradation and Failure Analysis of Different Glass/Basalt Hybrid Composite Configuration in Simulated Marine Condition

This work aims to evaluate the failure mechanisms of plain glass and basalt fiber reinforced composites and a selected glass/basalt hybrid composite sequence subjected to artificial seawater conditions. Sets of plain and five hybrid composite configurations were fabricated by vacuum assisted resin injection technique (VARI), and subjected to seawater aged for 258 days at 30 degrees C and 70 degrees C followed by tensile, flexural and charpy impact testing, respectively. Failure analysis for dry and seawater-aged composites were undertaken using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that some hybrid laminates with sandwich-like and alternating sequencing exhibited superior mechanical properties and ageing resistance than plain laminates. GB3 ([B2G2](S)) type hybrid composite with basalt fiber outer plies retained 100% tensile strength and 86.6% flexural strength after ageing, which was the highest among all the laminates. However, GB4 ([BGBG](S)) type specimen with alternating sequencing retained the highest residual impact strength after ageing. SEM analysis on the failed specimens showed fiber breaking, matrix cracking and debonding caused by fiber-matrix interface degradation due to seawater exposure. However different hybrid configurations to a considerable extent prevented crack propagation across specimens, hence altering the overall damage morphology among different specimens.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the failure mechanisms of plain glass, basalt fiber reinforced composites, and glass/basalt hybrid composite under artificial seawater conditions. The results show that hybrid laminates with sandwich-like and alternating sequencing exhibit superior mechanical properties and aging resistance compared to plain laminates. The failure analysis indicates that seawater exposure causes fiber breaking, matrix cracking, and debonding due to fiber-matrix interface degradation.