Polymer Composites Reinforced with Hybrid Fiber Fabrics

In an effort to show the influence of the hybridization method in hybrid fabric reinforced composites within the characteristic of the fracture and the mechanical properties, two laminate reinforced with bi-directional woven were developed, where one of them was reinforced with a hybrid strand (hybrid strand composite laminate) and the other with a different strands (hybrid fabric composite laminate). Both laminates used polyester resin, Kevlar-49 and glass-E fibers, had four layers and were prepared industrially by hand lay-up manufacturing. The percentages by weight of fiberglass and Kevlar in each type of woven are equal. The hybrid strand composite laminate showed a higher tensile strength, however the hybrid fabric composite laminate showed superior properties in three-point bending test, for example, 41.7 % superiority in flexural strength. The results showed that the hybridization method in hybrid reinforced composites influences the mechanical behavior of laminates and the formation and spread of damage.