"In the present work, the flexural properties of hybridized composites with bamboo and basalt as reinforcing agents in an epoxy matrix (DGEBA + mPDA) are studied. Unidirectional composites with different weight ratio content of fibers were mechanically evaluated using three-point bending tests. The peak value for flexural modulus of the hybrid composites was observed in composites with a weight ratio of 30/10 of bamboo to basalt, while composites with the highest basalt content exhibited the maximum strength. The physical and chemical properties of bamboo and basalt fibers were characterized with thermogravimetry. Bamboo fibers were processed from raw culms via ammonia freeze explosion AFEX and with steam explosion. The adhesion of basalt fibers (without sizing) with the matrix was investigated with single fiber fragmentation tests. Fracture surfaces of the basalt, bamboo, and hybrid composites were evaluated to assess the synergistic behavior of the combination of the bamboo and the basalt fibers in the matrix. The failure characteristics of the samples subjected to flexural load were analyzed by evaluating the morphology of the fracture surface using scanning electron microscopy. The results of this study show high values of flexural properties of bamboo/basalt fiber composites, for the production of high-quality, environmentally-benign, and sustainable materials. These properties could be optimized by the surface treatment of basalt fibers to make the matrix and these fillers more compatible. Additionally, the parameters for the AFEX treatment can be further investigated to improve the performance of bamboo as reinforcement."--Page ii.
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