An investigation of hybrid polymer composites

Many of our modern technologies demand materials with unusual combination of properties such as high strength to weight ratio, high stiffness, high corrosion resistance, high dimensional stability etc., these can¿t be met by conventional metal alloys. Natural fibers such as bamboo, coir, jute, flux, sisal etc., are low density fibers available at low cost. Natural fibers are renewable and also easily biodegradable. In spite of having several merits, natural fibers show lower modulus, lower strength and poor resistance when compared with the composites reinforced with synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon and aramid. To overcome these limitations and to obtain great diversity of material properties, hybrid composites have been conceived where in two or more fibers are reinforced in a single matrix.