Basalt Fiber Reinforced WC Nanofillers Based Polymer Nanocomposites: Characterization and Evaluation Study

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are gaining prominence as sustainable, biodegradable alternatives in modern engineering. However, challenges like moisture absorption and poor thermal/electrical performance persist. Chemical fiber treatments can mitigate these issues. Among natural fibers, basalt stands out for superior mechanical properties, making basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites increasingly vital. This study enhances BFRP performance by incorporating tungsten carbide (WC) ceramic nanofillers via hand layup fabrication. Mechanical and thermogravimetric analyses assessed composites with varying WC content (0–3 wt.%). Results showed deteriorating effect on tensile strength, while flexural strength, interlaminar shear, and impact resistance improved significantly at low nanofiller loadings (≤0.4 wt.%). Beyond this threshold, agglomeration is due to high surface energy limited gains. The specimens with nanofillers showed a notable improvement in wear resistance when compared to unfilled composites, although thermal stability was largely unaffected. SEM micrographs corroborated mechanical trends, confirming optimal dispersion at lower concentrations. These findings highlight WC’s potential to selectively enhance basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites performance within strict compositional limits.