Research on basalt fiber reinforced phosphogypsum-based composites based on single factor test and RSM test

Basalt fibers (BFs) with different lengths were mixed into a new phosphogypsum-based composite (PGC) with different proportions to prepare the BF-reinforced phosphogypsum-based composites (BFRPGCs). In this study, the single factor test and two-factor three-factorial response surface methodology (RSM) test were designed. Experimental tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties, porosity and water resistance of BFRPGCs and the failure mode and micro-morphology of the composites. The influence mechanisms of BFs' length, dosage and their interaction on various properties of PGCs were discussed. The results revealed that BFs with optimal dosage and length significantly enhanced the strength and toughness of the mixtures, and reduced the porosity and water absorption. The fiber dosage exhibited more significant effect on these performances of PGCs than fiber length, and the significance of their interaction varied with the tested properties. Additionally, RSM models were utilized to predict the optimal parameters to realize the multi-objective optimization of BFRPGCs and the results of this multi-objective optimization were well accordant with values from the validation experiments. The research results can provide a new idea to investigate of fiber modified gypsum-based composites for the wide applications of the new PGCs.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effects of basalt fibers (BFs) with different lengths and dosages on the properties of phosphogypsum-based composites (PGCs). It was found that BFs significantly enhanced the strength and toughness of the mixtures, reduced porosity, and water absorption. The fiber dosage had a greater impact on the properties than fiber length, and their interaction varied based on the tested properties. RSM models successfully predicted optimal parameters for multi-objective optimization of the composites.