Surface modification and characterization of basalt fibers with hybrid sizings

The organic/inorganic hybrid sizing was synthesized using sol-gel method. The Infrared (IR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses indicated that the epoxy/SiO2 nano-hybrid material was synthesized. Basalt fibers were surface modified by organic/inorganic nano-hybrid sizing. The surface morphology of basalt fibers, the multifilament yarn tensile strength and the inter-layer shear strength (ILSS) of composites were investigated. When the basalt fibers were modified by hybrid sizing with an optimum concentration, the surface morphology of the fiber was rough, the tensile strength was increased, and the ILSS of its composites was improved. The sizing modification method was effective for improving the mechanical properties of basalt fibers and the properties of subsequently prepared epoxy resin/basalt fiber composites. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.