Enhancement of Thermal and Physical Properties of Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Basalt Fiber

The basalt chopped fiber reinforced epoxy composites using different curing systems were prepared in order to investigate the thermal characteristics of the composites. 2 different curing systems for bisphenol F type epoxy resin - an epoxy-amine curing system and an epoxy-anhydride curing system - were selected and used to investigate the interaction between matrix resin and basalt fiber in the means of thermal properties and physical properties. Through the evaluation of T-g and thermal degradation behavior of both systems, it was deduced that the type of curing system as well as basalt fiber reinforcement have a great role in determining thermal properties of the composites. Also, the tensile and flexural properties of the composites were systematically evaluated in order to further understand the effect of curing agents on the interaction with basalt fiber.