Influence of stacking sequences of woven jute-carbon hybrid composites: Diffusion mechanism and mechanical characterization

In this study, different stacking orders of carbon-jute fiber mats were used to fabricate the composites and hybrids. The impact of different stacking orientations on mechanical properties was investigated experimentally. The experimental results were verified by finite element analysis (<i>FEA</i>). In addition, the impact of the fiber orientation on the loading direction was also investigated. Four layers of fabrics were piled to fabricate the composites by hand-layup with the cold press process. A NaCl solution was used to create a corrosive medium (pH 8), and the composites and hybrids were immersed in that medium, and their mechanical properties were compared. In this research, it has been found that the laminates with the stacking sequence of type-<i>C</i> (<i>C/J/J/C</i>) show the best result among other composites. Jute composites where all the fibers are in the loading direction possess a high strain compared with the other composites and hybrids. On the scanning electron microscope (<i>SEM</i>) image, delamination, buckling of fiber, fiber pullout, and voids were observed. In addition, the kinetics of the diffusion mechanism were also investigated, and it was found from the experimental results that the composites and hybrids immersed in pH 8 absorbed water via Fickian diffusion.