Effect of weaving architecture and interyarn hybridization on the Mode-I interlaminar fracture behavior of woven carbon-Kevlar hybrid textile composites

This research investigates the effect of weave architecture and interyarn hybridization on Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness (ILFT) of plain and twill woven carbon, Kevlar monolithic, and hybrid textile composites under the carbon-in-length (CIL) and Kevlar-in-length (KIL) configurations. Mode-I ILFT was investigated using the double cantilever beam (DCB) test specimens fabricated by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Fiber volume fraction (FVF) and density were experimentally obtained to ensure the quality of laminates. Results revealed that plain woven composites exhibited higher ILFT than twill woven composites. Placing carbon yarn in the warp direction increases the stiffness of the hybrid composite specimen, and placing Kevlar yarn in the weft direction creates resistance for crack propagation due to high toughness. Plain woven Carbon-Kevlar hybrid laminates in CIL configuration exhibited the highest ILFT, which is 57.19% higher than plain woven carbon/epoxy composite, 103.41% higher than plain woven Kevlar/epoxy composite, and 32.25% higher than twill woven carbon-Kevlar hybrid composite with CIL configuration. Kevlar yarn in the weft direction is responsible for increasing the ILFT due to higher fiber bridging. Hybrid composites exhibited higher ILFT than monolithic composites.