Global load-sharing model for unidirectional hybrid fibre-reinforced composites

A promising strategy to increase the tensile failure strain of carbon fibre-reinforced composites is to hybridise carbon fibres with other, higher-elongation fibres. The resulting increase in failure strain is known as the hybrid effect. In the present article, a global load-sharing model for hybrid composites is developed and used to carry out a parametric study for carbon/glass hybrids. Hybrid effects of up to 15% increase in failure strain are predicted, corresponding reasonably well to literature data. Scatter in the carbon fibre strength is shown to be crucial for the hybrid effect, while the scatter in glass fibre strength is much less important. In contrast to reports in earlier literature, the ratio of failure strains of the two fibres has only a small influence on the hybrid effect. The results provide guidelines for designing optimal hybrid composites. •A new global load sharing model for unidirectional hybrid composites was developed.•Failure strain enhancements of up to 15% are possible through hybridisation.•Hybrid effects increase with fibre strength scatter of the low elongation fibre.•The hybrid effect is dominated by just two parameters.