Lecture - Hybrid effects in fibre-hybrid composites

Since HyFiSyn is all about fibre-hybrid composites, I wanted to present you a lecture of synergies in such composites. Researchers often try to maximise these synergies or hybrid effects. This lecture therefore starts with an overview of the definitions of the hybrid effect, followed by a review of hybrid effects for four key mechanical properties. Most time is devoted to the classic hybrid effect, which is the hybrid effect in tension. I will explain that typical hybrid effects are in the range of 0 to 20%. Higher values as well as negative values have been reported, but I will show that these are most likely measurement or interpretation errors. I will describe that the main parameters influencing the classic hybrid effect are well understood. Several details, however, still require further research. In the rest of the talk, I illustrate that the story is much less clear for fatigue, impact resistance and fracture toughness. The reported hybrid effects are often absent, contradicting, or unclear. These properties of fibre-hybrid composites merit more fundamental research before fibre-hybrids can be fully exploited in practical applications. 

If you have any questions regarding my lecture or about fibre-hybrids in general, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at yentl.swolfs@kuleuven.be.

Author: Yentl Swolfs