Investigation of Tensile, Hardness and Double Shear Behaviour of Basalt Aluminium Composites

Abstract

This paper delves into the empirical investigation of a composite laminate comprising Basalt fiber and Aluminum. Basalt, an igneous rock primarily characterized by plagioclase and pyroxene mineral constituents, exhibits significantly enhanced mechanical properties when amalgamated with Aluminum, a soft, non-magnetic, and ductile metal belonging to the boron group. The composite laminate is fabricated employing the hand lay-up method, with the addition of silicon carbide to augment its abrasion resistance and durability. The Basalt-Aluminum laminate is subjected to rigorous testing, encompassing assessments of its ultimate tensile strength via tensile tests, ultimate breaking load, and ultimate stress using double shear tests. Furthermore, the material's hardness is quantified employing the Shore D hardness test. The findings conclusively demonstrate that the inclusion of silicon carbide leads to an augmentation in the ultimate tensile strength and ultimate stress, while simultaneously resulting in a reduction in material hardness. This innovative material exhibits significant promise for deployment in applications where wear and friction are recurrent issues, such as brake calipers, clutch plates, and conveyor belts.