Hybrid Epoxy Composites Based on Basalt Fabric: A Case Study of Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment and Reduced Graphene Oxide Flakes Addition

The purpose of this study is to present a novel method for producing mechanically strong epoxy composite laminates of different compositions, reinforced with basalt fabric and reduced graphene oxide flakes. The laminates are prepared with basalt fabric, which is subjected to low-temperature plasma treatment. This approach is aimed to enhance the adhesion of fabric to resin filled with reduced graphene oxide flakes. Physical properties, adhesion, and mechanical properties of the obtained materials are determined. Based on the experiments, it is found that the tensile strength is improved by 6-21% after using reduced graphene oxide filler, 9-23% after plasma treatment, and up to 27% using the combination of plasma and reduced graphene. It is found that the highest improvement of tensile strength is obtained for epoxy composite with 0.5 wt% graphene-based filler and 3 min basalt fiber plasma treatment with 25 W plasma power. Herein, a novel hybrid epoxy composite with both reduced graphene oxide filler and basalt fabric reinforcement treated with low-temperature plasma is presented. Advantages of this combination are shown along with tensile strength tests and characterization methods: atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, Brunauer, Emmet and Teller, and combustion analysis. As a result, synergic effect of plasma and rGO on laminates' tensile strength is proved.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH