Journals / Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi Part C: Tasarım ve Teknoloji / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3

Effect of Saltwater Aging on the Mechanical Performance of Polyethylene Matrix Glass, Basalt, and Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Composites

Tuzlu Su Yaşlandırmasının Polietilen Matrisli Cam, Bazalt ve Hibrit Fiber Takviyeli Kompozitlerin Mekanik Performansı Üzerindeki Etkisi

Muhammed Hüseyin Güzel(KONYA TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3093-3453
Tuncay Ateş(Alliance Healthcare Ecza Deposu A.Ş.)0009-0001-2078-9163
Gürol Önal(KONYA TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-2430-9283
Pages
1682–1696
Publication Date
2026-09-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Experimental results showed that mechanical properties decreased across all composite systems due to water diffusion as aging time increased.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In this study, the long-term mechanical performance of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix composites reinforced with glass, basalt, and glass/basalt hybrid fibers in a marine environment was investigated.
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Key Findings & Data:Composite specimens produced by the hot-press method were aged in a 3% NaCl saltwater solution for five months.
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Conclusion & Impact:Experimental results showed that mechanical properties decreased across all composite systems due to water diffusion as aging time increased.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Bazalt fiber · cam fiber · hibrit kompozitler

Abstract

In this study, the long-term mechanical performance of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix composites reinforced with glass, basalt, and glass/basalt hybrid fibers in a marine environment was investigated. Composite specimens produced by the hot-press method were aged in a 3% NaCl saltwater solution for five months. Within the scope of the study, water absorption measurements were performed, and axial tensile and three-point bending tests were conducted. Experimental results showed that mechanical properties decreased across all composite systems due to water diffusion as aging time increased. The highest water absorption was observed in basalt-reinforced composites at 12.85%, while glass-reinforced composites exhibited a more stable mass increase. In tensile tests, hybrid composites demonstrated the highest environmental resistance with a 21.5% loss; however, in flexural tests, the hybrid structure was found to suffer a significant strength loss of 78.2%. Hybridization provides a beneficial effect under tensile loading; however, this advantage does not extend to flexural loading conditions, where the hybrid configuration exhibits a pronounced sensitivity to environmental degradation.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, düşük yoğunluklu polietilen matrisli cam, bazalt ve cam/bazalt fiber hibrit takviyeli kompozitlerin deniz ortamındaki uzun süreli mekanik performansı incelenmiştir. Sıcak pres yöntemiyle üretilen kompozit numuneler, %3 NaCl içeren tuzlu su çözeltisinde 5 ay süreyle yaşlandırılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında su absorpsiyonu ölçümleri yapılmış ve eksenel çekme ile üç nokta eğilme testleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deneysel sonuçlar, yaşlandırma süresiyle birlikte tüm kompozitlerde su difüzyonuna bağlı olarak mekanik özelliklerde düşüş yaşandığını göstermiştir. En yüksek su absorpsiyonu %12,85 ile bazalt takviyeli kompozitlerde gözlenirken, cam takviyeli kompozitler daha kararlı bir kütle artışı sergilemiştir. Çekme testlerinde hibrit kompozitler %21,5’lik kayıpla en yüksek çevresel direnci gösterirken; eğilme testlerinde ise hibrit yapının %78,2 oranında mukavemet kaybına uğradığı belirlenmiştir. Hibritleme, çekme yükleri altında faydalı bir etki sağlamakta; ancak bu avantaj eğilme yükleme koşullarına yansımamakta ve hibrit yapı bu durumda çevresel bozunmaya karşı belirgin bir hassasiyet göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Güzel, M. H., Ateş, T., Önal, G. (2026). Effect of Saltwater Aging on the Mechanical Performance of Polyethylene Matrix Glass, Basalt, and Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Composites. Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi Part C: Tasarım ve Teknoloji, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3, 1682–1696. https://doi.org/10.29109/gujsc.1949628

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