Hybrid composite materials, which combine two or more types of fiber in a single matrix, have currently drawn the interest of researchers. This research investigates the tensile and impact properties of hybrid kenaf/glass reinforced metal laminates (FMLs) with different fiber orientations and stacking configurations. FMLs were formed by sandwiching the annealed aluminum 5052 sheets to the composite laminates using hot press molding compression technique. The tensile test was performed at a quasi-static rate of 2 mm/min with reference to ASTM E8 whereas Charpy impact test was conducted using impact pendulum tester according to ASTM E23.Results showed that improvement in tensile and impact strength was observed in hybrid FMLs compared to kenaf fiber reinforced FMLs. Fiber orientation of ±45° reduced the tensile strength but increased the impact strength of FMLs in comparison with fiber orientation of 0°/90°. Overall, hybrid FMLs incorporated with a fiber stacking sequence of glass/kenaf/glass showed superior characteristic in tensile and impact performance. K E Y W O R D Sfiber metal laminates, hybrid composites, impact properties, kenaf fibers, tensile properties, thermoplastic

The hybridization of natural and synthetic fibers in composite materials has gained the attention in the research field due to environmental awareness. Therefore, this study focuses on the effects of fiber stacking configuration on the tensile and quasi‐static penetration of kenaf/glass hybrid fiber metal laminates (FMLs). Kenaf/glass reinforced polypropylene FMLs with two different hybrid stacking configurations were prepared using hot compression process. Non‐hybrid kenaf and glass fiber reinforced metal laminates were also prepared for comparison. The tensile test was conducted according to ASTM E8, while the quasi‐static penetration test was carried out in accordance with ASTM D 6264 using 12.7 and 20 mm hemispherical indenters. The fractured surface of FMLs due to tensile loading was examined using scanning electron microscope, while optical micrograph was used to investigate the failure mechanism of quasi‐statically penetrated laminates. From the results, FMLs with the glass plies at the outer layers of composite (H1) showed a positive hybrid effect as they displayed better tensile and penetration resistance, compared to the non‐hybrid kenaf and glass reinforced FMLs. Furthermore, it could be seen that the overall performance of FMLs decreased as the kenaf content in the laminates further increases for hybrid FML. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:568–577, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

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