Polymer matrix hybrid composites: The efficient way of improved performance

Sisal fiber reinforced composites are being replaced with manmade composites as these materials are difficult to manufacture and non biodegradable. On the other hand, the natural fiber reinforced composites such as sisal fiber reinforced composites shows less strength compared to manmade composites. The objective of the present work is to explore the mechanical properties of sisal fiber composites and hybrid sisal composites using analytical and experimental methods. The sisal composites and hybrid sisal composites are prepared by using hand layup techniques. The hybrid composites are prepared by reinforcing nano carbon powder and sisal fibers in a polymer matrix with the weight fraction of 9% of carbon powder and 50% of sisal fiber. The elastic modulus of polymer matrix with carbon powder reinforcement and polymer matrix, carbon powder and sisal fiber reinforced composites are identified by conducting suitable experiments. Later by using the finite element method, the fracture behavior of sisal fiber composites and hybrid composites are estimated. The energy released (ER) and energy required to create the surface (ES) are estimated to identify the critical crack length of the respective material. The present work is used for the design of sisal fiber composites with respect to young’s modulus and fracture response.

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Free and forced vibration analysis of rectangular/circular/annular plates made of carbon fiber-carbon nanotube-polymer hybrid composites

Science and Engineering of Composite Materials ◽

10.1515/secm-2017-0279 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 70-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Masoud Ahmadi ◽

Reza Ansari ◽

Hessam Rouhi

Keyword(s):

Polymer Matrix ◽

Forced Vibration ◽

Hybrid Composites ◽

Composite Plates ◽

Annular Plates ◽

Step Procedure ◽

Edge Conditions ◽

Vibrational Characteristics ◽

Forced Vibration Analysis ◽

Hybrid Reinforcement

Abstract A multiscale finite element method is adopted in this paper to study the vibrational characteristics of polymer matrix composite plates reinforced with the combination of carbon fibers (CFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The effects of nanoscale and microscale are coupled through a two-step procedure. In the first step, random dispersion of CNTs into the polymer matrix is modelled using a three-phase representative volume element (RVE). In the selected RVE, the influence of the interphase formed because of non-bonded interactions between the polymer matrix and CNTs is taken into account. In the second step, the distribution of CFs into the composite is modelled, and the elastic properties of CF-CNT-polymer matrix hybrid composite are calculated for various values of volume fractions of reinforcement phases. Then, the free and forced vibration behaviors of composite plates are analyzed. It is considered that the plates have rectangular, circular, and annular shapes and are under clamped/simply supported edge conditions. The effects of CNT/CF reinforcement on the elastic modulus and density of composite and on the free/forced vibration response of the considered structures are investigated. It is shown that the vibrational behavior of plates is significantly affected by the hybrid reinforcement with CNT and CF.

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