Studies on the properties of short okra-glass fibers reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>1.1 PREAMBLE</strong></p><p>Hybrid composites involve two or more types of fibers set in common matrix (Dixit and Verma, 2012). The particular combination of fiber is usually selected to balance strength and stiffness, provide dimensional stability, reduce cost, reduce weight or improve fatigue and fracture resistance (Moriteiro <em>et al., 2005</em>). The idea of hybrid fiber reinforced composite has been researched for a series of material combination. Hybridization ofcomposites made of natural fibers and synthetic fibers, can improve the properties of the natural fiber reinforced composite significantly (Mubarak <em>et al., 2009</em>).</p><p>The potential advantages of combining two kinds of fiber in a singlepolymer matrix have been described by many researchers. Jawaid and Abdul Khalil (2011)reported that the behaviour of hybrid composites appeared to be simply aweighted sum of the individual components in which there is a more favourable balance between the inherent advantages and disadvantages. While using a hybrid composite in which two or more types of fibers are employed, the advantages of one type of fiber could compliment what the other hybridized fiber lacks (Maya and Thomas 2008).</p><p>It is generally accepted that the properties of hybridcomposites are controlled by many factors such as the nature of matrix, nature of the fiber, hybriddesign,length and relative composition of the individual fibers, the fiber-matrix interface bonding, arrangement of both the fibers and also on the failure strain of individual fibers (Sreekala<em>et al.,</em>&nbsp;2002).</p> <br><p></p>