The properties of natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials as an alternative to carbon fiber composites

In recent years, the main goals of automotive manufacturers have been to lower production costs and minimize emissions from vehicles by reducing fuel consumption. In order to achieve these goals, it is essential to manufacture fossil fueled vehicles, and especially electric vehicles from lightweight, environmentally friendly, sustainable, and affordable materials. In this context, the importance given to hybrid composite materials is increasing in terms of their unique properties. In this study, carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) and hybrid composites of aramid and basalt fiber reinforced epoxy matrix were fabricated by using vacuum infusion method. Tensile test, hardness test, water absorption test, loss on ignition test, impact test, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were applied to CFRP composites and hybrid composite samples produced with different fiber ratios and arrays in order to observe the effect on mechanical properties. These tests were performed to evaluate the application of natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites as an alternative to CFRP used in the interior and exterior parts of vehicles. When the results were evaluated, it was determined that the fiber ratio and array significantly affected the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. Also, hybrid specimens had higher impact strength than CFRP composites. Through SEM analysis, fiber breakage, fiber shrinkage, fiber-matrix debonding and gaps were observed in the structure of hybrid composites.