Impact of CuSn10 Powder on Mechanical Properties and Tribological Performance of Novel Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composites

Hybrid composite materials reinforced with both fibers and particulate fillers are increasingly used in engineering due to their favorable balance of mechanical strength, reduced weight, and enhanced tribological performance. This study investigated the effect of CuSn10 bronze powder additions (5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) on the mechanical and tribological properties of novel basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites. The composites were fabricated via vacuum-assisted processing and tested under dry sliding conditions with varying loads (10, 20, and 30 N) and sliding speeds (0.1, 0.25, and 0.36 m/s). The results show that the optimal tensile strength (440.6 MPa) was achieved at 10 wt% CuSn10, while the best tribological performance was observed at 15 wt% CuSn10, under a 10 N load and 0.25 m/s sliding speed, where the coefficient of friction decreased by up to 38% and the specific wear rate was reduced by more than 50% compared to the unreinforced BFRP composite. These enhancements are attributed to the formation of a stable oxide-based tribolayer (CuO, SnO₂) and improved load transfer at the fiber-matrix interface. Statistical analysis (GLM) confirmed that CuSn10 content had the most significant influence on tribological parameters. The findings provide valuable insight into the design of high-performance hybrid composites for structural and tribological applications.