In this paper, the effect of integration of natural fibers in UD carbon fiber is studied. The integration of natural fibers in carbon fiber is made via intra fiber hybridization. Natural fiber hybrid composite samples were prepared for Mode I and Mode II fracture tests. XRD analysis was done for the chosen natural fibres to know the crystallinity index and then compared with Carbon and Glass fibres. The fracture test experimental results, revealed that the effect of Jute fiber integration in UD Carbon epoxy composite was found significant in getting relatively good Mode I and II fracture toughness at the crack initiation without losing its stiffness. In addition to this Kenaf Carbon epoxy composite indicated better crack suppression with 30% higher propagation toughness values as compared other hybrid combinations and pristine composites. It is observed that integration of jute fibers in UD carbon epoxy composites was significant in achieving good mode I and mode II fracture toughness at the crack initiation without losing its stiffness and also kenaf carbon epoxy composites indicated better crack suppression with 30% higher propagation toughness as compared to other hybrid combinations used.

Graphene-based fillers possess exceptional properties that encourage researchers toward their incorporation in glass–epoxy (GE) polymer composites. Regarding the mechanical and wear properties of glass–epoxy composites, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) reinforced in glass–epoxy was examined. A decrease in tensile modulus and increase in tensile strength was reported for 1 wt. % of GO. A shift in glass transition temperature Tg was observed with the addition of GO. The cross-link density and storage modulus of the composite decreased with the addition of GO. The decrease in dissipation energy and wear rate was reported with the increase in GO concentration. A simple one-dimensional damage model of nonlinear nature was developed to capture the stress–strain behavior of the unfilled and filled glass–epoxy composite. Tensile modulus E, Weibull scale parameter σo, and Weibull shape parameter β were considered to develop the model. Finally, to understand the failure mechanisms in GO-filled composites, a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination was carried out for tensile fractured composites.

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Composite materials are replacing with traditional materials, because of its superior properties such as high tensile strength, low thermal expansion, high strength to weight ratio. Kenaf were processed by retting process then treated with sodium hydroxide and were cut using crusher. Mixing of kenaf fiber with glass is finding increased applications due to its versatility. Present study focuses on the development of kenaf glass fiber reinforced composites by the aid hand lamination technique. The composite is investigated for their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strengths. The results indicated that the incorporation of kenaf fiber with GFRP can improve the properties. Further, the fractured specimens are analysed for their failure mechanism using optical microscopic study.

Advanced polymer matrix composites are gaining the market in their way due to their exceptional specific stiffness, specific strength, fatigue, and corrosion resistance in the field of Auto-Tech, Aero-Tech, Biotech, etc. However, the lack of ductility and catastrophic failure has limited their application in these areas. Hence there is a need to explore means and protocols for designing the reduced factor of safety with high-performance toughened composites. To address this problem, a new generation of high-performance composites with pseudo-ductile or ductile behavior is needed. The ongoing High-Performance Ductile Composite Technology (HiPerDuCT) program jointly between the University of Bristol U.K and Imperial College London to address this challenge by developing newer materials. The fiber architectures made under this project gave a more gradual failure rather than catastrophic failure which improves the mechanical properties. This paper mainly focuses on addressing this evolution of pseudo ductility in fiber-reinforced composites. In addition to this, an attempt has been made to newer possible fiber positions in matrix materials for inducing reasonable ductility in composites.