Mechanical properties of jute flax based hybrid composites

In recent days, cellulose based natural fibers have become popular as reinforcement in composite materials as a result of increasing environmental concerns. In this study, mechanical properties of hybrid composites reinforced with jute and flax woven fabric and epoxy resin were investigated. For this purpose, two types composite plates each with four layers of jute fabrics and four layers of flax fabrics were produced with vacuum assisted resin infusion method. The first of composite plate was stacked with the sequences of jute-flax-jute-flax-jute-flax-jute-flax, and the second one was stacked with the sequences of jute-flax-jute-flax-flax-jute-flax-jute. For increasing the amount of adhesion between reinforcement and matrix, alkali treatment was applied to jute and flax fabrics separately. Tensile tests were performed to specimens which were prepared from produced composite plates. Force-deflection graphs were established and ultimate stress and maximum elongation values were determined with the data obtained. Impact tests were performed at three different energy levels for each plate. In order to investigate the influence of material type of the impact confronting surface, impact was applied to both jute and flax surfaces of the first plate. Force-deflection and energy-time graphs were established with the data obtained. Impact damage images were reviewed with the graphs