Evaluation on Impact Strength of Basalt/Kevlar Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Natural and synthetic fiber reinforced hybrid composites replacing conventional metals. Because of their improved properties such as higher strength, light weight, low cost, bio-degradable and green composite. An attempt made to find the impact strength of hybrid composites. The fiber in woven mat form is added to matrix element with varying stacking sequences of symmetrical laminates. Six types of hybrid laminate composites having basalt and Kevlar fibers are the reinforcements in varying stacking sequences are produced using hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding. The impact strength of the produced composites is evaluated. Experimental results found that composite having stacking sequences of K-B-K-B-K-B-K has the highest value of impact strength of 24 Joules respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to examine the morphology of fractured surface of hybrid composites during testing. SEM images revealed that hybrid composite with K-B-K-B-K-B-K had less defects on its fractured surface compared to other counter parts of the hybrid composites.