Mechanical characterization of natural and synthetic fibre based penta layered hybrid polymer composite

Abstract

The goal of the current study is to determine how the mechanical performance of hybrid composites is impacted by the fibre composition, layering arrangement and sequencing. Hand-layup approach was used to create four distinct hybrid composites with five lamina comprising varied stacking sequences of jute/coir/carbon fibres. The skin layers only encapsulate bio-fibres orientated horizontally. CJKJC, CKJKC, CJCJC and CKCKC were the stacking sequences, with C, J and K representing carbon fibre mat, jute fibres (unidirectional) and coir fibres (unidirectional). The fibres in the core layer were oriented perpendicular to the enclosing adjacent plies and they may be jute/coir fibres depending on the stacking sequence. Stress vs. strain curves shows that all the proposed composites fail suddenly exhibiting a linear trend except for the sample with a significant concentration of coir fibres. Jute fibre layers added strength and energy-absorbing capability to the composites, whereas coir fibre layers added strain and toughness. It is found from the present study that incorporating the fibres of carbon in the core and skin enhances the mechanical properties compared to its counterparts. The fractography of the proposed composites are studied using scanning electron microscope.