Effect of fiber type and combinations on the mechanical, physical and thermal stability properties of polyester hybrid composites

The effect of fiber types and their combinations on the properties of unsaturated polyester composite was studied experimentally in this work. Monolithic and hybrid composite samples were produced using hand lay-up method followed by compression and the samples were tested according to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. The results showed that the Kevlar reinforced composite (KFRP) had the highest tensile strength among the monolithic composites and hand woven nylon fiber reinforced composite (LNFRP) with the least value. The combination of fibers (hybridization), Kevlar and glass fibers composite (KGFRP) and Kevlar-glass-nylon fibers composite (KGNFRP) resulted in tensile strength and specific tensile strength improvement over the monolithic glass fiber composite (GFRP). The combination of fibers also improved the thermal stability of the hybrid composites. Positive effects of hybridization were also observed for density and water absorptivity.