The Effect of Different Configurations on the Bending and Impact Properties of the Laminated Composites of Aluminum-Hybrid Basalt and Jute Fibers-Epoxy

Abstract

In this work, the effect of different stacking sequences of hybrid jute (J) and basalt (B) fibers-epoxy composites laminated by aluminum (Al) 2024-T3 on the bending and impact properties of them was investigated. To do so, firstly, the jute fibers and aluminum surfaces were modified by the chemical methods. Then, four hybrid composites laminated by aluminum sheets were fabricated; these were Al/J/J/B/B/J/J/Al, Al/B/B/J/J/B/B/Al, Al/J/B/J/B/J/B/Al and Al/B/J/B/J/B/J/Al. The obtained results showed that the Al/B/B/J/J/B/B/Al composite had the maximum flexural modulus, strength and impact energy, which were 520 MPa, 41.2 GPa and 9.55 J, respectively. In contrast, the Al/J/J/B/B/J/J/Al composite had the minimum flexural modulus and strength, which were 252 MPa and 31.1 GPa, respectively. Also, Al/J/B/J/B/J/B/Al had the minimum impact energy of 4.75 J. As the most important finding obtained in the microstructure investigations, it was realized that the adhesion between the basalt fibers and the aluminum sheet was the important factor improving the mechanical properties.