Study on Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites for Automobile Application

Abstract

The current work focuses on the hand lay-up method for creating epoxy composites reinforced with S-glass fiber (Sf), carbon fiber (Cf), and E-glass fiber (Ef). The mechanical, physical, and morphological characteristics of the produced composites in various combinations were studied and compared. Mechanical tests revealed that the placing of the S-glass fiber in a specific combination in the hybrid system of the material improves tensile (206 - 227 MPa), flexural strength (289 - 364 MPa), Izod impact strength (423.36 - 466.19 J/m), Charpy impact strength (49.77 - 61.76 KJ/m2), Shore D Hardness (74 – 91) and density (1.23 –1.47 g/cm3). The trends for mechanical characteristics were validated by examining at the fiber-matrix interface, fiber pull-out, matrix fractures, and fiber deboning in the microstructure and fractured surface morphology of the created hybrid materials. Overall, it can be inferred from the findings analysis that by reinforcing S-glass fiber in epoxy matrix with in various fiber orientations significantly enhanced the properties of the generated hybrid composite materials. Thus, S-glass fiber with excellent strength properties, like other synthetic fibers, might be considered a good reinforcing material. The hybrid system and may be used for diverse applications in the area of automobile parts manufacturing that requires high mechanical resistance.