Mechanical and Dynamic Properties of Hybrid Composite Laminates

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester-based composites and reinforced with three types of fabrics, E-glass, basalt, and carbon, were fabricated by Hand-Lay Up (HLU) technique at room temperature, with various fiber configuration. Monotonic mechanical properties of hybrid composites laminate such as the tensile, flexural, inter-laminer shear strength and impact strength were investigated. The dynamic response of hybrid laminates composite under pulse load was studied theoretically and experimentally. In the theoretical part, the validity of the theoretical model for evaluating natural frequencies, mode shapes and dynamic response of hybrid composite laminates at various staking sequence has been examined by utilizing of the finite element software (ANSYS). In the experimental part, the response of hybrid composite specimens with various types of fiber configuration and four types of boundary fixations was measured by hammer test technique frequency response function (FRF). The results show that the reinforcement by adding the basalt fabric and carbon fabric based unsaturated polyester composites as a fiber configuration [2C/B/2C]S enhanced the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite laminates among other various stacking sequences. For the stacking sequence [2C/B/2C]S, it was found that the largest values of tensile, flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) were 128.76 MPa, 405 MPa, 20.25 MPa, respectively. The results show the good bonding adhesion at the interface between the fibers and matrix of the hybrid composite laminates. The impact properties with stacking sequences [C-C-G-C-C]s have the largest value at 3.73 Joule as compared with the other composites and stacking sequences of all hybrid composite laminates. Also, the BFRP composites specimen gives the best vibration resistance compared to the other stacking sequences of hybrid composite laminates. The comparison between experimental and numerical model shows the efficiency of the proposed mathematical model of the composite structural specimen with bonded joints.