Hybrid Polymeric Composites for Defence Applications

Composite materials have become an integral and essential class of materials for modern technological developments. The concept of the hybridization technique in polymeric composite development is finding many new and unexpected prospects in providing material solutions for high-end structural applications such as Defence and the aerospace sector. Hybridization has been used not only to improve the performance of composite structures but also to reduce the weight and overall cost for various applications. Several natural fibres like jute, hemp, and kenaf, which are abundantly available, have been found to be suitable substitutes for synthetic fibres in engineering applications. The lower cost and ease in the availability of some of the readily available synthetic fibres are the primary factors for their widespread applications. Considerable enhancements in the mechanical properties have been observed for hybrid composites consisting of different synthetic fibres, with or without additional natural fibres.