Analysis of mechanical, vibration, and acoustic properties of woven carbon/glass fiber on steel mesh embedded hybrid composites

The exceptional mechanical qualities, reduced weight, and increased strength of carbon fiber composites (CF) make them widely used in wind turbines, aircraft, defense, and many other industries. This study explores the feasibility of alternative weaving methods to develop hybrid composites with enhanced strength. Stainless steel 304 wire meshes (SSWM) were alternately woven with carbon and glass fiber (GF) yarns in various orientations and bonded with epoxy resin and hardener. To examine the mechanical, vibration, and noise properties, four varieties of composites were fabricated, with each composite featuring different orientations of SSWM stacked between the CF. The study aims to optimize composite structures by leveraging innovative weaving techniques, demonstrating superior mechanical properties compared to conventional composite designs. (1) CF mat + alternately woven CF + GF yarn on SSWM + CF mat (CFWM 30°), (2) CF mat + alternately woven CF/GF on SSWM + CF mat (CFWM 45°), (3) CF mat + alternately woven CF/GF on SSWM + GF mat (CFWM 60°), and (4) CF mat + alternately woven CF/GF on SSWM + CF mat (CFWM 90°) using the hand lay-up technique. Results showed CFWM 90° had 12.17% higher tensile strength than CFWM 45° and CFWM 60° had 10.82% greater strength than CFWM 30°. The flexural strength improved by 38.85% in CFWM 90° over CFWM 45° and by 29.33% in CFWM 60° over CFWM 30°. CFWM 90° also exhibited superior impact strength, handling higher loads. Vibration tests under clamp-free and clamp-clamp conditions were conducted. CFWM 90° exhibited the highest sound absorption, outperforming CFWM 30° and 60°.