Ansys-Based Evaluation of Natural Fiber and Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract

In this research, we analyzed natural composite structures that optimize the material and weight of the structure. Green composites are made of natural fibers and epoxy resin that are biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly. Core material failures include wrinkling, failure in compression, and buckling. To address these issues, this work attempted to create CAD models using jute fiber, glass fiber, and epoxy resin with various ply sequences using angle orientations of 0°, 30°, and 45°, and 2–4 mm thick laminates were produced. After creating CAD models, the material strength, stiffness, deformation of samples, shear strength, strain, and other mechanical properties of the natural-fiber-reinforced composite laminates were analyzed. The samples were based on two layers of glass fiber as a core with natural fiber plies below and above this core. The natural fiber with epoxy resin, the hybrid composite with jute fiber, and the glass fiber with epoxy resin were prepared and mechanical properties of the samples were evaluated with Ansys. The results indicated that the 0° ply orientation of 3 mm thickness had a low deformation (0.237 mm) and was the best material. The tensile test was performed for natural-fiber-reinforced composite and hybrid natural reinforced composite laminates at various thicknesses and at various ply orientations using a tensile load of 2500 N. In this investigation, the best material was the one with the thickness of 3 mm with the Young modulus 35.59 GPa at 0.149 strain with 5303 Pa stress conditions. Further, the above conditions were noted with low deformation (0.237 mm) at 0° ply orientation and tensile strength was noted as 1188 GPa at 3 mm with 45° ply orientation. This hybrid composite material can be considered for unmanned aerial vehicle applications.