Effect of stacking sequence on the flexural properties of carbon and glass fibre-reinforced hybrid composites

A study on the flexural properties of carbon and glass fibre-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites is presented in this paper. For the purpose of understanding the effect of stacking sequence on the flexural properties, test specimens of both glass/carbon and sandwich stacking sequences were studied both experimentally and by simulation. The experimental flexural properties were obtained by three-point bend test in accordance with ASTM D7264/D7264M-15. Simulation was achieved with the aid of finite element analysis (FEA) and classical lamination theory (CLT). From the experimental and simulation results, it is concluded that for the hybrid composites with glass/carbon stacking sequences, when glass/epoxy laminas are placed on the compressive face, positive hybrid effects are present. When glass/epoxy laminas are placed on the tensile face, the hybrid effect is dominantly negative. For the sandwich-type hybrid composites, carbon/epoxy laminas should be the skin and glass/epoxy laminas should be the core.