Hybrid composites reinforced with flax and glass on epoxy matrix: experimental and numerical comparison of tensile properties for load bearing applications

Bio based composites, particularly those reinforced with plant-based fibres such as flax, offer a sustainable route to replace conventional synthetic composites, being capable of natural biodegradation, renewability, and reduced environmental impact. These sustainable materials are being increasingly applied in manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and marine engineering. However, the comparatively inferior mechanical performance of plant fibres, relative to synthetic reinforcements such as glass fibres, continues to pose a significant constraint on their widespread use in structural applications. To address this, hybrid composites that combine plant-based fibres like flax with traditional fibres such as glass are being developed to improve mechanical performance while maintaining environmental benefits. Therefore, this paper presents an experimental study on the tensile behaviour of flax and hybrid glass fibre reinforced composites employing varying fibre orientations. The results showed that glass composite ([90/0/90/0/90/0] orientation, with a peak load of approximately 2750 (N) exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength whereas the hybrid glass/flax epoxy composite ([90/0/90/0/90/0] orientation, reaching approximately 2350 (N) demonstrates a high degree of comparability in terms of tensile performance, particularly considering its potential for improved sustainability and reduced density.