Ricerc@Sapienza

In an attempt to increase the low-velocity impact response of natural fiber composites, a new hybrid intraply woven fabric based on flax and basalt fibers has been used to manufacture laminates with both thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. The matrix type (epoxy or polypropylene (PP) with or without a maleated coupling agent) significantly affected the absorbed energy and the damage mechanisms. The absorbed energy at perforation for PP-based composites was 90% and 50% higher than that of epoxy and compatibilized PP composites, respectively.

This study deals with the development and optimization of hybrid composites integrating microcrystalline cellulose and short basalt fibers in a polypropylene (PP) matrix to maximize the mechanical properties of resulting composites. To this aim, the effects of two different coupling agents, endowed with maleic anhydride (MA-g(grafted)-PP) and acrylic acid (AA-g-PP) functionalities, on the composite properties were investigated as a function of their amount.

Basalt fibers were surface treated with silane coupling agents as a method to enhance the adhesion
and durability of fiber-matrix interfaces in concrete based composite materials. In particular, this work
has been focused on the study of basalt fibers chemical coatings with aminosilanes and their subsequent
characterization. Surface treatments were carried out after removing the original sizing applied
by manufacturer and pretreating them with an activation process of surface silanol regeneration.

Basalt fiber surfaces were modified using different silane aqueous solutions to generate a variety of polyorganosiloxane coatings. After removing the commercial coating of the fibers by calcination and subsequent activation processes, polysiloxanes were grafted on the fiber surfaces. Three aqueous solutions were used for the silanization: (i) γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APTES; (ii) γ-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane, APDES, and (iii) a mixture of 50% by weight of both APTES + APDES.