Effect of Fibre Bridging on Delamination Resistance of Hybrid Carbon–Glass/Epoxy Laminates
Francisco Maciel Monticeli (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
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Abstract
Hybrid laminates combining carbon and glass fibres offer an attractive balance of mechanical performance and cost, particularly in sectors such as automotive and wind energy. However, incorporating multiple fibre types gives rise to complex interfacial behaviours that must be thoroughly understood before these materials can be used in structural applications. This study investigates the mode I delamination behaviour of unidirectional carbon fibre laminate (CFL) composite, glass fibre laminate (GFL) composite and hybrid carbon–glass (HCG) fibre-reinforced laminates. To isolate the contribution of fibre bridging, a fracture model based on the Sørensen approach was employed to quantify the bridging zone by fitting energy release rates and opening displacements. Despite their intermediate stiffness, the hybrid laminates exhibited the greatest resistance to crack propagation. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect between the rigid carbon fibres and the more flexible glass fibres, which increases both the bridging stress and the end-opening of the bridging zone. The results emphasise the importance of fibre bridging as a primary toughening mechanism in hybrid systems and demonstrate that hybridisation can be employed strategically to enhance delamination resistance.