Trends in Hybrid Composite Technology

The term “hybrid composite” has been used in recent years to describe reinforced material systems containing a mixture of fibers in the bonding matrix. Though they were first developed as purely research tools or “model” systems for systematic studies of composite structures, they are now becoming commercially significant materials in their own right for a number of reasons. First, there are economic advantages in “diluting” an expensive carbon fiber filled plastic with a controlled number of cheaper glass filaments. Second, a wider spectrum of physical and mechanical properties is possible, facilitating the “tailor making” of a material or structure with specific characteristics for specific engineering purposes. Third, precatastrophic failure indicator mechanisms may be built into a material as early warning devices. Fourth, unique material property characteristics may be possible. Some of these have become known as “hybrid effects”. Other possibilities include the improving of fracture toughness and fatigue properties of predominantly carbon fiber filled plastics without sacrificing high levels of stiffness.