COMPOSITES 2023

Manufacturing and characterization of Polyamide 11/Basalt twill fibre fabric laminates

  • Papa, Ilaria (DICMAPI - UniNa Fed II)
  • Napolitano, Francesco (IPCB-CNR)
  • Lopresto, Valentina (DICMAPI - UniNa Fed II)
  • Valente, Teodoro (IPCB-CNR, DICMA UniRoma La Sapienza)
  • Russo, Pietro (IPCB-CNR)

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Recently, the increased environmental awareness is driving the research interest towards the development of novel materials with a minimal environmental impact also for advanced applications. In this context, special attention is paid to the replacement of synthetic reinforcing fibres, such as glass and carbon ones, with natural (e.g. jute, hemp, flax, etc.) or minerals (e.g. basalt) fibres. The latter, obtained from volcanic rocks, have a chemical composition similar to glass fibres and are obtained with the same technologies but they are particularly attractive being minimally abrasive and having mechanical performances even superior to those of glass ones [1]. On the other hand, despite the established reliability of thermosetting matrix composites in advanced applications, the consideration of thermoplastic polymeric matrices have rapidly gained significant interest from both academic and industrial research given their intrinsic recyclability, high mechanical strength and damage tolerance. At this regard, nowadays, a huge amount of research works is available on potentials of bio-based matrices as the polyamide 11, a commercial high-performance biopolymer obtained from chemical conversion of ricinoleic acid [2-3]. With the belief that specific insights into the dynamic response of biocomposites are still more than necessary to validate their effective functionality, this contribution deals with composite systems based on a flame-retardant grade of PA11 (MB3000) and reinforced with a twill basalt fiber fabric. Laminated structures prepared by hot pressing were systematically characterized by quasi-static and dynamic mechanical tests. The analysis of the results, also supported by visual inspections and indentation measurements, as well as by morphological observations, will predictably be useful in favoring an advancement of knowledge on the topics covered and will allow to appreciate the potential use of the studied biocomposites.