Temperature effect on fatigue behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites

In this study, the temperature effect on the static and tension–tension fatigue behavior of basalt fiber‐reinforced epoxy polymer (BFRP) composites is investigated. The S–N curves, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, and displacement increment with lifetime under temperatures of −20, 0, 20, 40, and 60°C were derived to evaluate the BFRP fatigue performance under different environmental temperatures. The results showed that the static strength and fatigue life at a certain maximum stress increased with decreasing temperatures. This effect of temperature on the fatigue life was more pronounced at the low cycle fatigue regime. Life differences between the various temperatures became smaller with higher life. While energy dissipation was small for all specimens, the stiffness degradation and permanent displacement increment were sensitive to different temperatures, showing a greater lifetime stiffness loss and permanent displacement increment before failure at lower temperatures. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2273–2283, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineer