Mode-I Fracture Toughness Investigation on Carbon/Glass Hybrid Composites

Mode-I fracture toughness of carbon/glass reinforced polyester hybrid composites was experimentally and numerically investigated by using the COSMOS/M 2.6 finite element software after manufactured by utilizing the hand lay-up technique. The single edge notch-bending test was developed to evaluate the mode-I fracture toughness of the carbon composites, glass composites and hybrid composites at various fiber configurations. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine the fractured surfaces of hybrid composites under the effect of mode-I loading. The experimental results showed the stress intensity factor was reached to 882.34 MPa.mm1/2 for the hybrid composites with stacking sequences [C/G/G/C] during the mode-I loading compared to the other stacking sequences. Glass fiber enhanced the stress intensity factors of the hybrid composite when the glass fibers are placed at the middle portion between the carbon layers. In addition, the experimental results are in good agreement with the finite element modeling.