Sustainable Basalt Fibers vs. Traditional Glass Fibers: Comparative Study on Thermal Properties and Flow Behavior of Polyamide 66-Based Composites

In this work, basalt fibers (BF) have been investigated as possible natural and sustainable replacements for the common synthetic mineral filler—glass (GF)—used in polyamide 66 matrix (PA66). Composites prepared at two different fiber concentrations (15 25 wt.%, respectively) by melt blending. The developed systems mainly characterized thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), capillary rheology, electron microscopy (SEM). kinetic parameters to thermal degradation through Coats–Redfern method allowed us attest a negligible effect of type on stability systems. incorporating 15 wt.% content possessed highest activation energy (≥230 kJ/mol). introduction BF GF PA polymer, regardless content, always led an increase crystallization melting temperatures, similar reduction crystallinity degree glass transition temperature. shear viscosity basic polymer increased addition fillers, particularly low rate, with pronounced case basal fibers. A slightly higher thinning behavior BF/PA66 respect GF/PA66 composites was confirmed fitting flow curves power law model. Finally, worsening dispersion, increasing matrix, weak compatibility between phases constituting materials were highlighted SEM micrographs.