First study for production pre-Preg metallic matrix basalt composite materials

FIRST STUDY FOR PRODUCTION PRE-PREG METALLIC MATRIX BASALT COMPOSITE MATERIALS Marini D1,2, Lüking A3, Becker T3, Valente M1,2 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Material and Environment, University of Rome Sapienza; Italy 2National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM); Florence, Italy 3Institute of textile (ITA), Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH), University of Aachen, Germany ABSTRACT: Basalt, is an effusive rock of volcanic origin with excellent mechanical and thermal resistance properties, is becoming increasingly important. In order to promote its compatibility with the matrix (generally polymeric, PMC), in the composite material production, it is customary to cover the single filaments with a polymeric sizing. Likewise, metal-coated filaments could be obtained for subsequent use in metal matrix composites (MMC). In this work we discuss the changes made to a standard basalt and glass spinning plant replacing the polymeric sizing application system with a molten metal deposition chamber in order to obtain a coating of the fibers directly during the spinning procedure. The exploration phase was carried out using pure aluminium as covering metal, which has lower flammability and usage problems than magnesium, but at the same time the analogy between their melting temperatures would allow the same plant to be used for both. Morphology and interface between aluminium and fibers were investigated by SEM and EDS analysis. The variation of some parameters, such as the rotation speed of the winder and the temperature of the molten metal bath, allowed to obtain different metal thicknesses and different mechanical properties. Tensile tests on single filament were performed to investigate the potential effect of the metallic covering on mechanical properties of fibers and results shows that basalt filaments highlight a better resistance to aluminium melting temperature (660 °C) compared to E-glass filaments. With this method it would be possible to disperse even submicrometric or nanometric particles in the fibers metal covering obtaining a perfect homogeneity of dispersion in the composite that would be obtained subsequently with their use.