Characterization of Mechanical Properties in Hybridized Flax and Carbon Fiber Composites

• Main Author: Flynn, Jeff
• Format: Others
• Published: North Dakota State University 2018
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10365/27207

Natural fiber composites have been found to exhibit suitable mechanical properties for general applications. However, when high strength applications are required, natural fibers are typically not considered as a practical fiber. One method for increasing the field of application for natural fibers is by increasing their mechanical properties through hybridizing them with synthetic fibers. The effects of hybridizing flax fibers with carbon fibers were investigated in this research to determine the trends in mechanical properties resulting from varied carbon and flax fiber volumes. The research found an increase in mechanical properties when compared to 6061 aluminum at matching composite stiffness values. The following mechanical property gains were obtained: 2% tensile chord modulus, 252% tensile strength, 114% damping ratio, and a 49% weight savings. Experimental tensile values were also compared to tradition modulus prediction models such as rule of mixtures and Halpin-Tsai, and were found to be in good agreement.