Flax/basalt/E-glass Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Mechanical properties of flax/basalt/E-glass fibers reinforced epoxy composites were studied in this paper. Vacuum bagging technique was adopted for the fabrication of hybrid composite laminates. The effects of fibers relative amounts and stacking sequence on the tensile, flexural and impact properties were investigated. Results showed that the developed hybrid composites display enhanced tensile, flexural, and impact performance as compared to flax fiber/epoxy composite. The tensile, flexural, and impact strengths increase when partial laminas from flax fiber/epoxy laminate are replaced by basalt and/or glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminas. Incorporating high strength fibers to the composite outer layers leads to improved flexural and impact resistances, whilst the opposite was noticed for tensile properties. The fabricated hybrids show economical and specific mechanical properties benefits. Fibers relative amounts and stacking sequence have noticeable effects on the studied mechanical properties.