Hybridization effects on tensile and flexural behavior of laminated composite plates

In this study, the influence of hybridization with different stacking configurations on tensile and flexural behavior of hybrid epoxy composites with Carbon, Glass and Kevlar- 49 fibers were investigated. Tensile properties were obtained according to ASTM: D638–10 and flexural strength of the hybrid composites were obtained from the three point bending test according to ASTM: D790-10 at a span-to-depth ratio of 32. Hybrid composites were produced with different fiber weight fractions of Carbon/Glass, Carbon/Kevlar, Glass/Kevlar and Carbon/Glass/Kevlar. It is concluded that the hybridization phenomena is dependent on the strength ratios of Carbon/epoxy, Glass/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy layers. The maximum change in tensile strength due to hybridization effect was achieved in Carbon/Glass epoxy laminate by replacing the two layers of a full Carbon/epoxy laminate with a Glass/epoxy, the strength decreased by 17.7%, and increased by 60% compared with those of the full Carbon and full Glass configurations, respectively. And also, the maximum change in flexural due to hybridization effect was achieved in Glass/Kevlar epoxy laminate by replacing the top two layers of a full Glass/epoxy laminate with a Kevlar/epoxy, the strength decreased by 26.5% and increased by 78% compared with those of the full Glass and full Kevlar configurations, respectively.