as the vegetable fibers jute, flax, hemp, kenaf, sisal, among others [12, 13]. In these substitutions, the limits are revealed by simulating the service performance in such a dynamic testing, including fatigue and impact [14, 15].
Figure 1.2 Schematic illustration of different orientations and stacking sequences of natural FRP hybrid composites.
Source: Refs. [9, 11]. © 2012; John Wiley and Sons.
Moreover, hybrid biocomposites refer to composites in which two or more different biofibers (natural fibers) are combined in a matrix, or a mixture of natural fibers with synthetic fibers in a matrix [4]. One synthetic fiber commonly used for improving the mechanical response in natural FRP composites is glass or carbon fibers. Several types exist for hybrid composites. These types are dependent on the material constituent mixture [16, 17].
For instance, Figure 1.3 shows higher mechanical properties of unaged hybrid flax/basalt FRP composite sample A, when compared with single or non‐hybrid flax FRP composite. However, the impact strength property of the aged hybrid counterpart samples B, C, D, and E changed insignificantly after 15, 30, 45, and 60 aging days of salt‐fog environment conditions (Figure 1.3c) of the hybrid types. Additional mechanical behaviors of some FRP hybrid biocomposites are presented later in Table 1.5 by considering their natural/natural fiber combined reinforcements.
In preparing hybrid FRP composites, the rule of mixture comes to play, while the volume fraction can be obtained using Eqs. (1.1)–(1.6) [8].
(1.2)
(1.3)
Figure 1.3 Improved mechanical properties of hybrid flax–basalt fibers FRP composites, depicting (a) stress–strain, (b) modulus–strain curves, and (c) impact strengths of aged and unaged biocomposites.
Source: Fiore et al. [18]. © 2016, Elsevier.
(1.4)
(1.5)
where Vf denotes total reinforcement volume fraction, Vc1 and Vc2 represent the first and second reinforcement relative volume fractions, Vf1 and Vf2 stand for the first and second fiber volume fractions, ρc and ρf designate the densities of the composites and fiber, while Wf indicates the weight of the fiber. The methodology for preparing and characterizing hybrid fiber‐reinforced PMCs as well as its applications is presented in Figure 1.4.
However, the present chapter does not cover all the methodologies shown in Figure 1.4 in detail, because the scope of this chapter is not manufacturing processes and techniques of natural FRP composite materials.
1.4 Mechanical Behaviors of Natural Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer‐Based Hybrid Composites
There are many properties of materials that determine where they function or are used in the engineering space. The required characteristics in a proposed design will determine what combinations of materials will be relevant and which of the various mechanical properties are of interest in such instances. Notable among the mechanical properties usually considered in engineering are tensile, compressive, flexural, and impact strengths, among others. These properties are discussed in Section 1.4.1.
Figure 1.4 Flowchart of preparation and characterization of the hybrid FRP composites.
Source: Sathishkumar et al. [8]. © 2014, SAGE Publications.
1.4.1 Hybrid Natural FRP Composites
This section discusses hybrid biocomposites in which their combined fibers are entirely natural (biofibers).
1.4.1.1 Bagasse/Jute FRP Hybrid Composites
Jute is a popular plant‐based fiber (vegetable) with dominant presence in tropical countries across the Asian continent, such as China, Brazil, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Thailand. They account for about 95% of jute fiber (JF) production worldwide [4]. Jute is considered as a lignocellulosic bast fiber, having comparative advantages with respect to renewability, biodegradability (which makes it eco‐friendly), high strength as well as high initial modulus over other fibers [11]. Bagasse, also called sugarcane bagasse, is a lingocellulosic by‐product of the sugar industry, mostly utilized as a fuel in boilers and sugar factories. Compared with other residues (by‐products), including wheat straw and rice, bagasse is preferred, because its ash content is lower [19].
A study of mechanical behavior of
