Influence of stack sequence on the mechanical characteristics of hybrid composites analyzed using cone beam computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract The hybridization of composites has recently seen an exponential growth in acceptance due to its ability to improve the property such as toughness of composites. Hybridization of fibers is known to give a better balance of properties and increases the opportunity to use natural fibers, thereby reducing the impact on the environment without compromising utility. This study deals with hybridization of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with natural fibers such as flax and jute using phenol formaldehyde as the resin. Composite panels of 4 mm thickness, comprising of eight layers were fabricated in six different fiber stack sequences using hand lay‐up and compression molding techniques. The effect of stack sequence on the composites' flexural, interlaminar shear, and impact properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and cone beam computed tomography techniques. Composites with outer UHMWPE fibers and having flax fibers as inner core were found to have superior flexural and interlaminar shear properties of 44.45 and 5.52 MPa, respectively. Also composites with surface layers of flax fibers displayed maximum impact strength of 91.08 kJ/m². The results indicate that the stack sequence has a significant influence on the properties of the composite under flexural and impact loading.