Mechanical and machinability studies on hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites under static and dynamic conditions

Abstract

Today, composite materials play a significant role in many scientific and engineering realms, primarily it is due to their unique physical and mechanical response characteristics, such as light weight, specific strength, fracture toughness and fatigue resistance. Comparatively their utility over conventional materials are on the raise every day. This investigation focuses on the hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites, which could be used, as a leaf spring in the suspension system of automobiles and ballistic applications. The stiffness, their ability to absorb impact forces, and the ease with which they could be machined are the essential properties which advocate these materials to get absorbed in the suspension systems. The combinations of materials, various engineering studies and the machining optimization put together stand as a testimony to the uniqueness of this investigation. The bidirectional fibrous material Kevlar 49 as an important constituent in the fiber structure makes it suitable for suspension systems. Usage of Kevlar fiber alone into many layers could serve the purpose, but this alone won t make this composite an economical material. An attempt has been made to make the HFRP composite fabricated structure on a par with the structures of conventional steel and ferrous alloys. So, all the inevitable tests were conducted on the composite made of unique combinations that substantiate the usage of this material as a substitute for the existing ones. newline