Optimal design for hybrid composites under flexural loading

Abstract

A study on the flexural behaviour of hybrid composites reinforced by S-2 glass and T700S carbon fibres is presented in this paper. The effects of fibre volume fractions, hybrid ratio and span-to-depth ratio were studied with the aid of FEA. It is shown that utilisation of hybridisation can improve the flexural strength. A general rule is in order to improve flexural strength, the fibre volume fraction of glass/epoxy plies needs to be higher than that of carbon/epoxy plies. The overall maximum hybrid effect, 37.34%, is achieved when the hybrid ratio is 0.318 ([02G/06C]) when Vfc = 50% and Vfg = 70%. The strength increases are 44.55% and 24.07% when compared with those of the full carbon and glass configurations respectively.