This article provides an experimental investigation into the crashworthiness of carbon–jute–glass reinforced epoxy circular composite tubes. The test specimens were fabricated of 6 layers with different stacking sequence using wet‐wrapping process and tested under uniaxial quasi‐static compression loading up to complete crushing. The effects of hybrid reinforcement, stacking sequence, and relative reinforcement amounts on the energy absorption capabilities and failure modes were studied. Also, the crush load–displacement response, initial crushing failure load, total energy absorption, specific energy absorption, average crushing load, and crushing force efficiency were determined and discussed. The scanning electron microscope study was considered to analyze the failure modes of the crushed specimens. Results indicate that specimens' failure modes and energy absorption capabilities were highly dominated by the reinforcement combinations and plies stacking sequence. Also, hybrid carbon–jute–glass reinforced epoxy composite tubes have the potential to be used as energy absorbers as compared to jute‐reinforced epoxy composite tubes. The JGC composite tube has a higher load carrying capacity and energy absorption capability compared to other hybrid composite tubes, so it seems to be the best appropriate choice for energy absorbing devices. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2245–E2261, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

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The aims of this study are to design, fabricate and investigate the mechanical properties of new hybrid composite laminates made from polypropylene-glass unidirectional fibers and epoxy matrix. Specimens were fabricated following the hand lay-up technique in intraply and inter-intraply configurations. Results are presented regarding the tensile, flexural, in-plane shear and interlaminar shear behaviors of fabricated composites with particular consideration of the effects of the plies stacking sequence and hybrid configuration. The experimental results reveal that the mechanical properties of polypropylene/epoxy composite can be effectively improved by the incorporation of glass fiber through the formation of either intraply or inter-intraply hybrid composites. With a proper choice of the hybrid configuration and the plies stacking sequence, the fabricated hybrid composites achieved property profiles close to those of homogeneous glass reinforced laminate in terms of specific properties. Resistance of the intraply hybrid composite to tensile and flexural loadings is higher than inter-intraply hybrid composites. On the other hand, the highest in-plane and interlaminar shear strengths are associated with the inter-intraply hybrid composite with glass fiber core. Additionally, an analytical analysis was also introduced to provide a good correlation with the experimental data, which give an insight on the ideal plies stacking sequence to achieve the required properties.

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The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of using polyamide (PA) as a reinforcement with glass (G) fiber to form new hybrid composites with improved physical and mechanical properties. PA-G–reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were designed, fabricated using the hand layup technique in inter-ply configuration and their mechanical properties were investigated. Results are presented regarding the tensile, flexural, and in-plane shear behaviors of the fabricated composites with a particular consideration of the effects of the stacking sequence and PA-fiber relative volume fraction, ( vPA/ vtot). The experimental results reveal that the existence of G-fiber at the composite external layers and PA-fiber in the core improves the tensile and flexural properties but worsens the shear properties. Also, increasing ( vPA/ vtot) upgrades the tensile properties but deteriorates the flexural and shear properties. The merits of the hybridization in the current study are lesser cost compared to pure PA-composite and lightweight and better ductility compared to pure G-composite with improved mechanical properties. As a result, these hybrid composites are suitable for medium load applications.

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