An experimental study on the role of fiber distribution in hybrid composite mechanical behavior

The aim of current research work is to experimentally investigate the variability in hybrid composite response with changing fiber distributions. However, controlling individual fiber distribution or arrangements in a two-fiber hybrid composite is difficult. To circumvent this problem, small diameter pultrusions of pure glass and pure carbon fiber composites are arranged in specific geometric patterns and a hybrid composite is manufactured by infusing resin in to the spaces between the small pultrusion rods. The resulting hybrid composites were tested under pure torsion and pure compression loads. The test results show a considerable variation in the hybrid composite response with changes in the positional arrangements of the small diameter pultruded rods. The symmetrically arranged hybrid composites gave higher strength under compression. While the arrangement of the small diameter pultrusions in the hybrid composites did not affect the linear response under torsion.