Development of bi-directional pseudo-ductile glass/carbon-epoxy hybrid composites for improved safety in structural applications

Pseudo-ductility was demonstrated in interlayer hybrid composites which have fibre reinforcement in two perpendicular directions. The central carbon-epoxy layer was reinforced with a range of fibres either in balanced spread tow tape based dry fabric or unidirectional prepreg format oriented in 0 degrees and 90 degrees. The high strain S-glass/ epoxy layers were made of the same unidirectional prepregs with 0/90 degrees orientation for all tested configurations. Stiffness increments of 20-70% were achieved compared to the estimated elastic modulus of the cross-ply Sglass/epoxy baseline composite. Pseudo-ductile stress-strain response with visually detectable damage initiation and a plateau after the initial linear stage was obtained for all configurations. The manufacturing of the developed laminates was found to be suitable for an industrial setting with no need for special equipment.

Automated summary

Pseudo-ductility was observed in interlayer hybrid composites with fiber reinforcement in two perpendicular directions. Stiffness increments of 20-70% were achieved compared to the baseline composite, with visually detectable damage initiation and a plateau in stress-strain response. The manufacturing process was found suitable for industrial applications without the need for special equipment.