Mechanical and Dynamic Performance of Stainless Steel and Nylon Mesh Reinforced Hybrid Kevlar/Glass Fiber Composites.

Abstract This research details an extensive experimental examination of the mechanical and dynamic properties of hybrid composites strengthened with E-glass and Kevlar fibers, and further improved with SS304 stainless steel and nylon mesh. Four laminate configurations were fabricated via hand lay-up techniques, with variations in stacking sequences like C1- Glass fiber 2 layer/Nylon mesh/Glass fiber 2 layer/SS 304 wire mesh/Glass fiber 2 layer, C2- Kevlar fiber 2 layer/Nylon mesh/Kevlar fiber 2 layer/SS 304 wire mesh/Kevlar fiber 2 layer, C3- Glass fiber 2 layer/Nylon mesh/Kevlar fiber 2 layer/SS 304 wire mesh/Glass fiber 2 layer, C4- Kevlar fiber 2 layer/Nylon mesh/Glass fiber 2 layer/SS 304 wire mesh/Kevlar fiber 2 layer. Composite C1, outperforming all other specimens tested, had impressive flexural strength (505.89 MPa), Vickers hardness (24.76 HRM), and tensile strength (199.67 MPa). The composite with the greatest impact energy absorption was C3, which measured 4.76 J. Data from DMA showed that C1 had better viscoelastic characteristics than other materials. It was very stiff and thermally stable, with a storage modulus of up to 5000 MPa and a glass transition temperature close to 80°C. Microstructural analyses with field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy verified the homogeneity of the reinforcement phases and the durability of the fiber-matrix adhesion. These results demonstrate the promise of mesh-reinforced Kevlar-glass hybrid composites for structural uses requiring extreme heat resistance, toughness, and strength.