The influence of adding long basalt fiber on the mechanical and thermal properties of composites based on poly(oxymethylene)

The work has evaluated the possibility of the potential reinforcing of poly(oxymethylene) (POM) by basalt fibers (BFs) and influence of BFs addition on thermal properties. Two types of composites were produced by injection molding. There were 20 and 40 wt% long BFs content with an average length of 1 mm. The samples were made without using a compatibilizer. In the experimental part, the basic mechanical properties (tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, strain at break, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and deflection at 3.5% strain) of composites based on POM were determined. Tensile properties were also evaluated at three temperatures −20°C, 20°C, and 80°C. The density and Charpy impact of the produced composites were also examined. The influence of water absorption on mechanical properties was investigated. Thermal properties were conducted by the differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and fourier transform infrared (FTIR)-attenuation total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy analysis. In order to make reference to the effects of reinforcement and determine the structure characteristics, scanning electron microscopy images were taken. The addition of 20 and 40 wt% by weight of fibers increases the strength and the stiffness of such composites by more than 30–70% in the range scale of temperature. Manufactured composites show higher thermal and dimensional stability in relation to neat POM.