Page 33 - Template Tesis UTM v2.0

1.4 Research Scopes

This research was conducted by preparing the composite laminates using

synthetic fibre of E-glass and natural fibres of basalt, jute and flax. All the

reinforcements used are in the form of plain weave. In this light, basalt, jute and flax
fibres were completely treated as received. Tested sample of hybrid composite was

constructed with seven layers to maintain the similar weight fraction, Wf between

synthetic and natural fibres. Four layers of E-glass and three layers of natural fibres
either basalt, jute or flax were used in the hybrid composite laminates. In terms of fibre

arrangement, the hybrid composites were prepared with two different stacking
sequences, namely sandwich-like (SL) and intercalation (IC) sequences with

symmetrical laminates design. Vacuum infusion process (VIP) was used throughout
this research using epoxy resin. The parameters setting for VIP were fixed in terms of

vacuum pressure, soaking time, type of peel ply and flow media used.

Mechanical properties were characterised on static and dynamic loadings. The

static behaviours of the specimen were characterised on tensile, flexural and quasi-

static indentation tests while the low velocity impact and split Hopkinson pressure bar
(SHPB) were conducted on dynamic sites, according to the related ASTM standards.

For instance, flexural and quasi-static indentation tests were done using ASTM D790-

03 (Standard test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced
plastics and electrical insulating materials) and ASTM D6264 (Standard test method

for measuring the damage resistance of a fibre-reinforced polymer-matrix composite
to a concentrated quasi-static indentation force), respectively. On the other hand, the

failure modes analysis was investigated using SEM for the tested specimens under
tensile and flexural tests only. The static and dynamic data obtained from experimental

tests were collected and analysed for further investigation.

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