Mechanical and Impact Damage Analysis on Carbon/Natural Fibers Hybrid Composites: A Review

• Main Author: Carlo Santulli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-02-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: carbon fibers; natural fibers; impact performance; composites
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/12/3/517

Hybrid composite laminates including carbon fibers and natural fibers, hence basalt and/or vegetable ones, draw on the experiences accumulated in studying the hybridization of fiberglass with carbon or natural fibers. Yet, in the case of carbon/natural fiber composites, the sense is different: in particular, the idea is to accept the reduction of properties from bare carbon fiber composites and the unavoidable complication in processing, induced by hybridization. The compensation obtained, which offers a rationale to this operation, is the improved toughness and a significant modification of the different modes of failure. This would bring a higher energy absorption and a substantially more effective damage tolerance. The aforementioned characteristics are particularly of interest in the case of flexural properties, impact properties, and residual post-impact performance.