Improvement of mechanical properties of carbon/glass fiber reinforced polymer composites through inter-ply arrangement

Fibrous reinforced polymer composites are used in automobiles, aerospace, railway, marines, construction and mega structures like airport infrastructure and olympics. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CRPC) are stronger than glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GRPC). However, the cost of carbon fiber is around four times than glass fiber. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the mechanical properties of glass/carbon hybrid composites to meet the design requirements and reduce the cost. In this article the effect of glass/carbon fiber ply sequence on mechanical properties were investigated experimentally. Two types of hybrid composites were considered; i.e [G3C2]_S & [C2G3]_S and mechanical properties were evaluated. The composites were fabricated by hand-layup method. The results revealed that the tensile strength has been improved in [G3C2]_S hybrid composite by 11.5% as compared to [C2G3]_S composites. The fracture toughness and flexural strength of [C2G3]_S has been improved by 52.4% and 22.9% respectively as compared to [G3C2]_s composites. Hence, the mechanical properties are sensitive to inter-ply sequence even if the weight fraction of each fiber types is constant.