Damage characterisation of glass/textile fabric polymer hybrid composites in sea water environment

The results of the experimental analysis carried out on the glass/textile fabric reinforced hybrid composites under normal condition and sea water environments have been reported. The critical stress intensity factor, interlaminar shear strength and impact toughness have been evaluated, both in interlaminar and translaminar directions. The specimen preparation and the experimentations were carried out according to the ASTM standards. Results have revealed that the damage in hybrid composite under sea water environment is entirely different. The characterising parameters have shown changes in their magnitudes with the variation in immersion time. The nature of fracture as a function of the reinforcement volume, loading and environmental conditions has been analyzed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. The SEM analysis has shown that the fibers pull out, matrix cracking and also the nature of crack growth is different in sea water environment. The fracture in individual fiber has also been identified.