Friction and thermo mechanical characterization of nano basalt reinforced epoxy composites

In the present investigation nano basalt epoxy composites have been examined for its possibility in employing new wear resistant material with improved friction and thermo mechanical characteristics. The nanocomposites were fabricated by dispersing (1–5 wt.%) nano basalt particles in epoxy using sonication process. The density, mechanical properties (tensile strength and micro hardness), thermal stability along with friction and wear behavior have been investigated as per ASTM standard. The result shows that all the properties found to be increased with nano basalt content in the thermosetting epoxy matrix. The FESEM studies reveal the homogeneous dispersion of nano basalt (≤3 wt.%) in the epoxy matrix. This uniform dispersion improves the thermomechanical and friction characteristics. The specific wear rate of the nano epoxy composites reinforced with nano basalt particulates exhibits the superior wear-resistance properties. The results reveal that 3 wt.% nano basalt in the epoxy matrix yields maximum improvement in tensile strength, micro hardness, thermal stability, wear resistance and coefficient of friction when compared to other composites subjected to investigation. The excessive addition (>3 wt.%) forms basalt clusters as agglomeration which pull down the frictional and thermo mechanical performance.