The evaluation of the thermal and mechanical properties of aramid/semi-carbon fibers hybrid composites

In this research work, aramid and semi-carbon fibers (SCFs) were hybridized in the form of interlayer or layer by layer into epoxy matrix by hand lay-up method. Afterward, the effect of hybridization on the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites was characterized by thermal analysis; horizontal burning; tensile and bending tests. Based on the results of the mechanical tests, increasing SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased tensile strength, elastic and flexural modulus. But with increasing this ratio to 53 % failure strain reduced, whereas in the ratios of more than 53 %, the failure strain enhanced. The results of thermal analysis curves indicated that there are three stage mass loss at the temperature ranges of 100-220, 270-470 and 500-620 ˚C. It was also found that with increasing the SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased the third-stage of the mass loss. The results of horizontal burning showed that increasing the SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased the rate of burning.