Characterization and investigation of the mechanical characteristics of hexagonal boron nitride doped carbon/basalt hybrid composites

The aim of this study is the production of hexagonal nano boron nitride (h-nBN) doped carbon fabric, basalt fabric, and hybrid (carbon fabric+basalt fabric) reinforced polymer matrix composites by hand lay up and vacuum bagging technique and characterized structural, thermal and mechanical. The composites were reinforced by 1 wt.%; 2wt.%; 4 wt. ratios with h-nBN. Tensile tests according to the ASTM D3039 standard, three-point bending according to the ASTM D7264 standard and impact experiments according to the ASTM D256 standard were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the composite samples. The effects of nanoparticle addition on the thermal properties of composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetry (TGA) analyses. FTIR analyses were performed to determine the organic components in the samples. The structural and microstructural properties of composites have been extensively characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Surface morphology and dispersions of nano boron nitride were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy- EDS Mapping, the fracture morphologies were investigated after tensile test by means of stereo microscope. Microwave properties of samples were investigated through transmission/reflection measurements in Agilent brand 2-Port PNA-L Network Analyzer in the frequency range of 3-18 GHz. According to mechanical test results, the addition of the h-nBN particles increased the tensile, bending and impact strengths of the composite in certain proportions. The highest tensile and bending strength were obtained at 1 wt.% h-nBN ratios and the highest impact results obtained at 4 wt.% h-nBN ratios. Types of the damage formation were determined by the observation of damages occuring after tensile testing. These are matrix cracking, fiber breakage, and delamination caused by poor interface adhesion between layers. In addition, it has been determined that h-nBN reinforcement has positive effects on microwave absorption properties of polymer matrix composite materials. As a result of the studies, the reference materials have been transformed into a more qualified composite product.