Mechanical and absorption properties of carbon-basalt and glass fiber reinforced composites: A comprehensive study with implications for advanced manufacturing technology

In this research, a combination of hybrid and non-hybrid composite materials were tested for their mechanical properties and water absorption rates. The study focused on composites produced through hand-layup techniques, examining their void percentage, morphology, and elemental composition. Specifically, three different stacking sequences of hybrid composites were compared with three non-hybrid composites of equal thickness. Combining carbon and glass allows the composites to balance flexural (367 MPa, 23 GPa) and tensile (440 MPa, 5.7 GPa) strength and modulus, all while remaining cost-effective and easily accessible. The glass fiber-based composites exhibited exceptional impact (27 J/cm2) strength due to their interfacial solid bonding. Additionally, the study found that basalt and carbon-basalt composites had varying degrees of water absorption when exposed to seawater and river water. SEM and EDS Mapping analyses were conducted to understand better fibrous and granular composites' mechanical properties and water absorption behaviors. These analyses provided valuable insights and a comprehensive knowledge of composite properties. Ultimately, the study recommends using hybrid composite materials for specific applications based on desired flexural tensile strength, impact strength, or water absorption characteristics.