Study of Mechanical and Hydrophilic Characteristics of Hybrid Composites Manufactured by Vacuum Infusion Process

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight, durable, and multifunctional materials in various engineering sectors have encouraged extensive research into hybrid composite materials. Hybrid composites, which combine different fiber and matrix constituents, offer enhanced mechanical properties and tailored functionalities, making them a promising alternative to traditional composites. This study involves fabricating hybrid composites comprising synthetic glass fibers and natural jute fibers in a polymeric matrix. The vacuum infusion process setup was developed to optimize resin distribution and minimized void content, crucial for achieving consistent mechanical performance. Comprehensive mechanical testing like tensile, flexural, hardness and impact tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the fabricated hybrid composites. In the study, only jute fiber composite has shown lower tensile stress, flexural stress, Impact strength and hardness. On the other hand, blending of jute with glass fiber hybrid composites have shown higher Tensile Stress(237%), Flexural Stress (800%), Impact Strength (1800%) and Hardness (22%). The stacking sequence of jute and glass fiber in the composite lamina has significant influence on the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. The mechanical properties like tensile stress increases 11.62%, flexural modulus increases 61%, impact strength increases 60% and hardness value remained unchanged while changing the stacking sequence of jute and glass fiber in the composite laminate. The water absorption behavior of the hybrid composites were also analyzed both in fresh and salt water. The glass fibers at the outer layers of the hybrid composite lamina reduces water absorption. The jute fibers at the outer layers of the composite lamina increases fresh water absorption (1.35%, 0.86%, 3.72% and 1.26%) and comparatively reduced salt water absorption (0.47%, 0.46%. 1.60% and 0.80%). The experimental result indicates that the jute glass fibers hybrid composite has exhibited a synergistic improvement in the mechanical performances by leveraging the high strength of synthetic fibers and the eco-friendliness of the natural fibers. However, surface treatments of fibers were found to significantly improves mechanical properties by enhancing fiber-matrix adhesion and reducing moisture ingress. The findings contribute to the development of next-generation composite materials for applications in automotive, aerospace, and marine industries, where mechanical robustness and environmental sustainability are paramount.