The effect of hybridization on microstructure and thermo-mechanical properties of composites reinforced with different weaves of glass and carbon fabrics

In this research, an experimental investigation of the microstructural, viscoelastic, and flexural properties of glass/carbon hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites consisting of two different types of weaves (plain and twill) was carried out. The hybrid composites were manufactured by using the VARTM technique. The scanning electron micrographs showed that the hybridization resulted in a significant improvement in fiber-matrix adhesion of the hybrid composites compared to the pure glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites based on plain weave glass fabrics, whereas the best fiber-matrix adhesion was observed in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The synergistic effect due to hybridization lead to substantial improvements in the dynamic mechanical and flexural response of the manufactured composites. The hybrid composites exhibited a 149% increase in flexural strength, and a 144% increase in the flexural modulus compared to the GFRP composites, and an increase of 109% in the average value of the storage modulus at three different frequencies (1 Hz, 5 Hz and 10 Hz) compared to the GFRP composites. Whereas, the highest values were observed for pure CFRP composites for both flexural strength and modulus. A positive hybridization effect was also confirmed by the higher experimental values compared to the estimated results calculated by using the Rule of hybrid mixtures (RoHM). Due to higher fiber volume content, the GFRP exhibited the highest thermal stability compared to other specimens.