Polymers, vol.17, no.10, pp.1-22, 2025 (Scopus)
This is a research study on the high-temperature solid particle erosion behavior of basalt/carbon hybrid composites with varying ply arrangements (B8, C8, B4C4, C4B4, B2C4B2, and C2B4C2). Solid particle erosion experiments were carried out by employing garnet particles at temperatures of 25 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C, and 120 °C at impingement angles of 30° and 90°. The erosion weight loss rate differed substantially with the temperature, angle of impact, and ply arrangement. The highest erosion rates were obtained by single-component composites at 544.9 mg/g (B8, 120 °C, 30°) and 541.3 mg/g (C8, 120 °C, 90°). In contrast, the hybrid composites were more resistant, with the lowest rate being 200.0 mg/g at an ambient temperature (25 °C, 30°) for C4B4. The erosion weight loss at 50 °C increased typically due to thermal softening, whereas at elevated temperatures (80 °C, 120 °C), there was some stabilization seen, reflecting the positive synergies between basalt and carbon fibers. The factorial analysis of ANOVA revealed that material type (43.17%) was the most significant factor, followed by the temperature (19.97%) and impingement angle (0.52%). SEM and profilometry analysis confirmed that hybrid arrangements lower the erosion crater depth by a great extent, affirming the improved wear resistance of balanced basalt-carbon configurations. This work demonstrates the potential applications of optimally designed hybrid composites for durability under erosive high-temperature environments.