Effect of layering pattern on the mechanical properties of jute-linen reinforced polypropylene hybrid laminated composites

The tensile and flexural behavior of laminated Jute/Linen/Polypropylene(PP) hybrid composites are investigated for varying layering patterns of fibers, viz. Linen-Jute-Linen, Linen-Jute-Jute, Jute-Linen-Jute and Jute-Linen-Linen. Prior to fabrication of composites by compression molding, the jute and linen fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide. Tensile and flexural strengths are noticed to vary significantly with varying layering pattern. The maximum tensile and flexural strengths are noticed, respectively, for Jute-Linen-Jute/PP and Linen-Jute-Linen/PP composites. The hybrid Jute-Linen-Linen/PP composite shows the lowest tensile and flexural strengths. SEM images of the fractured surfaces of the composite samples reveal delamination and fiber fracture as the primary failure mechanisms.