Enhancement of Impact, Shear and Wear Performance of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composites by Inclusion of Polycarbonate Sheets

The key objective of this study is to fabricate an unconventional composite structure with outstanding impact performance, low weight, low cost, and better wear resistance. Utilizing a hand lay-up procedure, epoxy composites reinforced with glass fibers (G) and polycarbonate (PC) sheets were fabricated. Neat glass (NG) and three distinct hybrid PC composites were produced by altering the position of the PC sheets. The flat and edgewise impact, in-plane shear strength, and wear behavior of hybrid composites were studied to assess their performance and compatibility for various industrial applications. Morphological investigations of the fractured surfaces were conducted with a digital microscope. The results showed that hybrid PC specimens enhanced flat and edge-wise impact performance by an average of 100.9%. Impact strength values are significantly affected by the arrangement pattern. The presence of PC in the outer and core composite laminates improved shear strength by 15.09% and 14.85%, respectively. The hybrid composites produced smooth and free-of-damage worn surfaces, resulting in a significant reduction in the specific wear rate of 40.4%.