EFFECT OF HYBRIDIZATION ON OPEN-HOLE TENSION PROPERTIES OF WOVEN KEVLAR/GLASS FIBER HYBRID COMPOSITE LAMINATES

Hybrid laminates consisting of woven Kevlar/glass fiber composite plies were studied in terms of their residual tensile strength, stiffness and fracture surface.  Residual tensile strength and stiffness were determined from the open hole tension test according to ASTM D5766. The laminates of Kevlar fiber reinforced polymer (KFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and hybrid of Kevlar-glass fiber reinforced polymer (KGFRP) were fabricated using a vacuum bagging process. Three different ratios of Kevlar to glass fiber plies were prepared in this study which were 20:80, 50:50, and 80:20. Results showed that hybrid laminate consisting of 80:20 Kevlar to glass fiber plies, produced higher residual tensile strength and stiffness when compared to the other hybrid system. Furthermore, strength and stiffness of hole specimens were reduced within 50-63% when compared to unhole specimens due to existence of the hole. In addition, the effect of adding nanosilica to the hybrid system was also studied. 5 wt% of nanosilica was added to the hybrid composite laminates and results showed that higher tensile strength and stiffness was observed in GFRP and 20:80 KGFRP specimens, while the tensile strength was decreased with an increased number of Kevlar fiber. This research was conducted as there are limited number of studies that have been done on the tensile strength of woven hybrid composite laminates so far, especially on hybridization of Kevlar and glass fiber with consideration on the effect of hole and addition of nanofillers.