The influence of the hybridisation configuration on the mechanical properties of hybrid self reinforced polyamide 12/carbon fibre composites

This paper compares and contrasts the properties of self-reinforced polyamide 12/carbon fibre hybrid composites made by three different hybridisation routes, termed intra-yarn, intra-layer and inter-layer. The starting point for each route was to manufacture layers of woven cloth (containing both components), from which the hybrid composites were manufactured using the Leeds hot compaction technique. In all cases, a carbon fibre volume fraction of around 8% was the target. On balance, the intra-layer hybrids had the best combination of properties, although all three hybridisation routes yielded interesting results. This intra-layer hybrid configuration showed a significant increase in tensile modulus and strength, bending modulus and strength and penetration impact energy compared to a pure self-reinforced polyamide sheet. The only negative aspect was a reduction in the tensile failure strain from 11 to 2%, whereas the ductility in bending was unaffected by the incorporation of the carbon fibres.