Influence of glass fibre hybridization on the open hole tensile properties of pineapple leaf fiber/epoxy composites.

Hybrid composite laminates with natural fibers and synthetic fibers are suitable for applications requiring medium strength and stiffness. In general, composite parts have to be machined and drilled which can be further riveted or bolted together. These operations could weaken the structural strength. This article highlights the changes in strength retention characteristics of the open hole PALF/glass/epoxy composite specimen with various stacking sequences under tensile load. Hybrid composites possessed better tensile strength than the pure PALF composites and tensile strength retention was lower as the open-hole diameter increased. The fiber stacking sequence was found to influence both the failure pattern and open-hole tensile strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]