A Comprehensive Experimental and Numerical Analysis on Free Vibration and Axial Buckling Behavior of Hybrid Composites

In parallel with technological advancements, studies on the hybridization of fiber-reinforced laminate composites have continued to increase. In this study, the effects of axial buckling and free vibration on interply and intraply hybridization are analyzed experimentally and numerically to enhance the stability and dynamic behavior of composite structures. Three different types of fabric were used: aramid (A), glass (G), and aramid/glass (GA) hybrid fabric, all having the same areal density and woven structure. Composite plates with five different configurations, including aramid and glass reference groups, two different interply hybrid composite groups [interply_1 (G/A/A/G) and interply_2 (A/G/G/A)], and one intraply (GA/AG/AG/GA) hybrid composite group, were manufactured by The Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) method. Comparative analyses were conducted on natural frequency, damping ratio, axial buckling load, and axial buckling stress by preparing specimens according to the relevant ASTM standard. The results showed that the interply_2 hybrid configuration, which features aramid on the outer surface and glass layers on the inner layers, has a natural frequency value that is 19% higher than those of the other two hybrid structures. In comparison to the glass composites, this hybridization achieved frequency values that were 70% higher. Regarding axial buckling, the interply_2 specimens obtained 26% higher values compared to the interply_1 specimens and 123% higher values compared to glass. The intraply hybrid structures demonstrated superior damping performance compared to other hybrids.