Hybridization effect of basalt and carbon fibers on impact and flexural properties of phenolic composites

In this study, the impact and flexural properties of woven basalt fiber/phenolic (BFP), woven carbon fiber/phenolic (CFP) and woven basalt/woven carbon hybrid phenolic (BCFP) composites are investigated. The hybridization effect of woven basalt and woven carbon fibers on the impact energy absorption and flexural properties is investigated for various weight ratios of basalt/carbon hybrid fibers such as 1:0, 0.83:0.17, 0.68:0.32, 0.61:0.39, 0.34:0.66 and 0:1. It is found that the impact properties of the composites are strongly improved when the basalt fiber increased. Impact energy absorption of CFP composite showed a regular trend of increase with increasing weight ratio of basalt fiber in hybrid fiber composite. The lowest impact energy absorption values are found for the composites with weight ratio 0:1 (CFP), with average of 70 kJ/m2. Corresponding values for energy absorptions are obtained for 0.83:0.17, 0.68:0.32, 0.61:0.39, 0.34:0.66 basalt/carbon weight ratio in hybrid composites. The impact energy absorption of hybrid composites (BCFP) shows the highest value with an average of 219 kJ/m2, when the weight ratio of 0.83:0.17 is used. Finally, the impact energy absorption of BFP composites with the weight ratio of 1:0 shows the highest value of 268 kJ/m2. The experimental evidence shows that the hybrid composites based on combinations of stiff carbon fibers and tough basalt fibers have good flexural properties and therefore, they can be used as promising materials in a number of engineering sectors such as the protective structures.