Investigation on the Influence of Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In the present investigation the reference composite laminates, Glass fabric reinforced (C1-G/G, 0°/90°), Carbon fabric reinforced (C2-C/C, 0°/90°) and Kevlar fabric reinforced (C3-K/K, 0°/90°) were manufactured by hand layup process by placing the bi-woven fabrics in a Vinyl Easter matrix. The hybrid composite namely H1, H, H3, H4, H5 and H6 laminates were prepared by placing the alternate layers of different bi-woven fabrics in Vinyl Easter matrix. All the composite laminates were manufactured by using Hand layup method for a thickness of 3.00 mm by placing alternate layers of matrix and bi-woven fibers the fabric to matrix weight ratio of 60:40 was maintained. newlineAll the specimens were prepared as per the ASTM test standards. The tensile, flexural, hardness, impact, and dynamic mechanical analysis tests were conducted according to ASTM D-638, ASTM D7264, ASTM D2240, ASTM D256, and ASTM D4065-01 respectively as per the test standards. newlineThe reference composites manufactured were Glass fabrics reinforced (C1-0°/90°), Carbon fabric reinforced (C2-0°/90°) and Kevlar fabric reinforced (C3-0°/90°) in a Vinyl Easter matrix. From the investigations it was found that, among the reference composites Carbon fabric reinforced (C2) composite has shown the enhanced mechanical properties when compared with other two reference composites. newlineFrom the investigations it was found that the reference composite (C2, C/C) has showed good mechanical properties, hence these composites are useful for the components which are subjected to tensile load applications. Hybrid composite H1 (G/C, 0°/90°) has showed better flexural properties, hence these are useful for the components which are predominantly subjected to bending loads. newlineThe impact strength of H4(C/K, 0°/90°) and H6 (GC-0°/KC-90°) are better than all other reference, hybrid and double hybrid composites. Also from the analysis it was found that the stiffness of hybrid (H4) and double hybrid (H6) composites were increased when compared with other investigating composites.