Mechanical performance and impact resistance of polymer composites enhanced by glass microspheres and a hybrid matrix /

This research presents the development of a hybrid matrix to enhance the impact resistance of polymer matrix composites by blending thermosetting phenolic resin with thermoplastic polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Glass fabric was employed as the primary reinforcement, and glass microspheres were incorporated as micro-reinforcements in varying concentrations. Composites were fabricated using four plies of glass fabric through compression molding, maintaining a fiber volume fraction of 0.6. The hybrid matrix with a PVB-to-phenolic resin ratio of 20:80 exhibited superior energy absorption and mechanical properties under impact loading. The incorporation of glass microspheres further improved mechanical performance, with optimal results achieved at concentrations of 6–8%. Notably, the inclusion of PVB enhanced tensile strength, while a 6% microsphere concentration significantly increased the tensile modulus. These findings underscore the potential of the hybrid matrix and micro-reinforcements to improve the mechanical and impact resistance properties of composite materials, highlighting their applicability in high-impact engineering applications.