Effect of Layering Sequence on Impact Properties of Alkali Treated Phoenix Pusilla Fibers-Glass-Carbon Fabrics Reinforced Hybrid Composite Laminates

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the effect of stacking sequence on impact properties of polymer hybrid composites comprising randomly oriented Phoenix pusilla leaf fibers (PPFs), woven E-glass, and carbon fabrics. The PPFs were treated with 6% (w/v) NaOH solution for a period of 45 min. The composite laminates are produced through manual hand lay-up method by arranging treated PPFs, E-glass, and carbon fabrics in different layering sequences and impact and interlaminar shear strength properties were evaluated. The results showed that hybrid composites with carbon as outer layers exhibit an improved impact and an interlaminar strength property as compared to remaining hybrid laminates. Scanning electron microscopy investigation was also carried out on the fractured specimens in this work. This work is a part of exploring the use of hybrid composite prepared for some potential engineering applications.