Hybridization effect on flexural properties of epoxy based woven carbon/glass and kevlar/glass composites

Hybrid composites possess unique features that can be used to meet differentdesign requirements with respect to strength, stiffness and flexuralbehavior. Akey parameter in hybrid composite structures is the arrangement offibers within the hybrid. It was reported that the hybrid design strongly affects avariety of properties such as flexural strength, modulus, fatigue behavior, andimpact performance of hybrid composites based on high performance fibers. In this paper, the flexural properties of composite materials based on two types of hybrid composites such as Carbon/glass& Kevlar/glass reinforced with epoxy resin are investigated under quasi-static loading conditions. Hybrid laminates based on carbon/glass fiber and Kevlar/glass was then manufactured using a hand lay-up technique and tested. Hybridising the carbon/glass and Kevlar/glass fibre composites in thismanner combines the strength and stiffness of the fibres system with the excellent flexural resistance of the hybrid composite. These specimens were then tested in the three point bend configuration in accordance with ASTM D790-07. The failure modes were examined under fractographs, and the results show that the dominant failure mode is fiber matrix interface cracking. The flexural modulus, flexural strength and strain to failure were recorded. It is seen that flexural modulus decreases with carbon/glass hybrid and increases in Kevlar/glass hybrid composite system.The experimental evidence suggests that hybrid composites based on combinations of Kevlar/ glass fibre reinforced with epoxy resin as matrix offer better flexural properties for use in a number of engineering sectors such as the automotive, aerospace, and marine and other various industries.