Numerical Study of Modal Characteristics on Jute Fiber Based Hybrid Polymer Composites Reinforced with Metal Wire Mesh

Composite materials based on natural fibers and polymer matrices have been widely studied in the past decade due to their light weight, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. However, their low modulus of elasticity and poor resistance to vibrations still limit the range of their applications in dynamically loaded structures. This paper presents a numerical modal analysis of jute hybrid composite reinforced with glass fibers and metallic plates like, SS 304 wire mesh, aluminum wire mesh, and aluminum perforated sheets. Seven hybrid composites with different metal volume fractions, along with a virgin composite, were considered for the study. Finite element modeling is used to assess the impact of different hybridizations on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the composites. Different laminate configurations were considered to study the effect of stacking sequence, fiber orientation, and metallic layer placement on vibration behaviour of the laminates. The findings clearly indicate the significance of both stacking sequence and hybridization approach for the improvement of the dynamic characteristics of the composite structures. It is reported that the laminates composed of glass fibers in the outer layers along with the suitable insertion of metallic layers exhibit higher natural frequencies and increased structural integrity. Furthermore, the numerical results showed strong correlation with the experimental results in predicting the modal characteristics. Overall, the study highlights the effectiveness of hybridization in tailoring the vibration performance of composite laminates, making them suitable for applications requiring enhanced dynamic response and structural efficiency.