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Fiber-reinforced composites are gradually replacing the traditional materials in many engineering applications. However, for many applications these materials are still unsuitable, due to their lack of toughness. In this context, hybridization is a promising strategy in which two or more types of fiber are combined to obtain a better balance of mechanical properties compared to non-hybrid composites. Therefore, the main goal of this work is to study the hybridization effect on the static performance and interlaminar shear strength. For this purpose, carbon, glass, and Kevlar fibers were used and combined in different proportions. It was possible to conclude that there is an ideal value of fiber content to maximize both properties and, depending on the type of fiber, they should be placed specifically on the compression or tensile side. For example, for composites involving carbon and glass fibers the latter must be placed on the compression side, and for a value of 17% by weight the flexural strength decreases by only 2.8% and the bending modulus by around 19.8%. On the other hand, when Kevlar fibers are combined with glass or carbon fibers, the Kevlar ones must always be placed on the tensile side and with an ideal value of 13% by weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet sustainability objectives in the transport sector, natural fiber (NF) and recycled carbon fiber (RCF) have been developed, although they have been typically limited to low to medium performance components. This work has considered the effect of interlayer hybridization of woven NF and non-woven RCF with woven virgin carbon fibers (VCF) on the mechanical and damping performance of hybrid laminates, produced using double bag vacuum infusion (DBVI). The mean damping ratio of the pure laminates showed a trend of NF>RCF>VCF, which was inversely proportional to their modulus. The tensile, flexural and damping properties of hybrid laminates were dominated by the outermost ply. The VCF-RCF and VCF-NF hybrid laminates showed a comparatively greater mean damping ratio. The results of this work demonstrate a method for the uptake of alternative materials with a minimal impact on the mechanical properties and improved damping performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]