Intraply and interply hybrid composites based on E-glass and poly(vinyl alcohol) woven fabrics: tensile and impact properties

E-glass and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibres were used to produce both homogeneous and hybrid composites with an orthophthalic unsatured polyester resin. Results are presented regarding the tensile and impact behaviour of both intraply and interply hybrid composites, with particular regard to the effects of the plies stacking sequence and the loading direction. With a proper choice of composition and stacking sequence, E-glass/PVA hybrid composites were proved to achieve a property profile superior to those of homogeneous E-glass laminates in terms of specific properties. In particular, hybridization with PVA fibres resulted in improving the specific impact energy of E-glass laminates. Resistance to impact crack propagation was higher for intraply with respect to interply hybrid composites, as evidenced by their ductility index values. © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.