Intra-ply, inter-ply and FG hybrid composites based on basalt and poly-ester fibers: Flexural and impact properties

Basalt and poly-ester fibers along with epoxy resin were used to produce inter-ply, intra-ply and functionally gradient hybrid composites. In all of the composites, the relative content of basalt fiber to poly-ester fiber was equal to 50 percent. The flexural and charpy impact properties of the hybrid composites are presented with particular regard to the effects of the hybrid types, stacking sequence of the plies, loading direction and loading speed. The results show that with properly choosing the composition and the stacking sequence of the plies; the inter-ply hybrid composites can achieve better flexural strength and impact absorption energy compared to the intra-ply and functionally gradient composites. The flexural strength and impact absorption energy of the functionally gradient hybrid composites is comparable to, or higher than the intra-ply sample. Also, by increasing the loading speed, the flexural strength increases while the flexural modulus does not have any special trend.