Influence of weave patterns on tensile, flexural, and short beam shear performance of FRP composites

This study evaluates the mechanical performance of laminated composites with distinct weave architectures. Carbon, Glass and Carbon/glass intra-ply hybrid reinforcements were characterised. The selected weave pattern was plain, twill, hybrid, and unidirectional (UD). The novelty lies in selecting a particular weave architecture along with the reinforcement material for a targeted design. Mechanical characterisation included tensile, flexural, and short beam shear tests as per ASTM standards. Fibre volume fraction was measured using burn-off tests. All the test results were normalised with respect to the specimen thickness. The tensile strength of carbon/glass hybrid weave composites increased by 56 % and 45 % than twill carbon and plain carbon weave composites. Its flexural strength was 1.85 and 2.68 times than plain carbon and twill carbon weave composites. The flexural modulus of it was 1.31 and 2.35 times than plain carbon and twill carbon weave composites. Fractography analysis was carried out on the fractured specimens. In tensile and flexural specimens, failures included interfacial debonding, fibre pull-out, and fibre fracture. Hybrid carbon/glass laminates were found to improve flexural strength and modulus, with enhanced ductility due to the presence of glass fibres. This study is expected to provide a design guide for application-specific FRP laminate selection.