Structural properties of mineral and plant fibre composites in fire or high temperature environments

Basalt and plant fibres are increasingly being used as eco-friendly replacements to E-glass fibres for the reinforcement in polymer composites used by the automotive and construction industries. The aim of this PhD is to investigate the structural properties of basalt fibre polymer composites when exposed to thermally demanding environments such as those experienced during fire exposure or thermal recycling. This PhD project also aims to understand the structural performance of plant fibre composites when exposed to fire. The thermal, physical and mechanical processes that influence the softening and failure of basalt and plant fibre composites under the combined effects of fire and mechanical loading are determined experimentally and analytically. The reduction to the mechanical properties and the strength loss mechanisms of thermally recycled basalt fibres are also investigated.