Energy Efficient Composites for Automotive Industry.

Sammanfattning: Hybrid composites play a key role in sustainable development. For many years, carbon fibres in an epoxy matrix have been an attractive option for many structural applications because of their higher specific mechanical properties mostly. However, recycling and sustainability are some of the composite shortcomings; and in that context, natural fibres have gained popularity.  The present study aimed to design and manufacture short carbon/flax hybrid composites. Two different arrangements were chosen: random and layers configuration. Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) was used to fabricate these hybrid composites. Mechanical tests and optical microscopy technique were conducted to understand the effect of the interaction of these two different reinforcements. Mechanical tests showed a remarkable difference between the hybrid configurations under flexural loadings. Furthermore, outstanding property values were observed in the hybrid configurations compared to single fibre composites. The resultant materials have seemed an attractive combination of fibres with a remarkable balance between mechanical performance and eco-friendliness.