Effect of Fiber Hybridization on Mechanical Behavior of Hybrid Composite Laminates

ABSTRACT In this research work, the mechanical properties of hybrid composite laminates were investigated by conducting quasi‐static indentation, tensile, and three‐point bending tests. Woven glass fiber (G), carbon fiber (C), Kevlar fiber (K), and carbon‐Kevlar intraply (I) fiber mats were utilized to produce a variety of hybrid laminate configurations. The matrix system consists of LY556 epoxy resin and HY951 hardener, combined in a ratio of 10:1. Seven configurations of hybrid laminates including [G ₆ ] _S , [I/G] _3S , [I ₃ /G ₃ ] _S , [C/G] _3S , [C ₃ /G ₃ ] _S , [K/G] _3S , and [K ₃ /G ₃ ] _S were manufactured. All the laminates were subjected to a quasi‐static indentation test to assess the peak load, absorbed energy, contact stiffness, and residual dent. The area of damage caused by indentation was analyzed using ultrasonic testing. Tensile and flexural strengths of the hybrid laminates were evaluated, and their results were correlated. The damage morphology was also examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. This study reveals that the hybridization strategy dictates a critical performance trade‐off. Results show that the clustered [I ₃ /G ₃ ] _S configurations dominated in flexural strength by 250% and indentation resistance by 114% peak load, whereas distributed sequences [C/G] _3S achieve superior in‐plane tensile strength by 100%, respectively. It was observed that inserting high‐stiffness plies to the outer layer can enhance bending rigidity and load‐bearing capability. [I/G] _3S and [C/G] _3S exhibited progressive failure behavior and greater damage tolerance capability, while [I ₃ /G ₃ ] _S and [C ₃ /G ₃ ] _S failed catastrophically.